The purpose of this study was to establish the normal values of tendon reflex in adults. Patellar and Achilles tendon reflex tests were performed in 50 normal adults using electric reflex hammer. The compound muscle action potentials(CAMP) were obtained on rectus femoris muscle for patellar tendon reflex and soleus muscle for Achilles tendon reflex. From 10 repeated trials of each subject, the shortest latency and the largest peak-to-peak amplitude of CAMP were chosen for representative value.
The results were as follows:
1) Mean values of latency and amplitude were 17.35±1.56msec, 1.55±0.75mV for patella tendon reflex, 30.97±2.99msec and 2.60±1.98mV for Achilles tendon reflex.
2) There were no significance in the side-to-side differences (P>0.05).
3) The age and the height of subjects showed significant correlation with the latency of patellar and Achilles tendon reflex (P<0.001).
We believe our result can be used as a guideline researches regarding the tendon reflex in lower extremities
