Tonic Vibration Reflex (TVR)
Tonic Vibration Reflex, 20–60 Hz
Short definition
Involuntary muscle contraction triggered by vibration of the muscle spindles (Ia afferents → spinal cord → alpha motor neurons); up to 97% vs 40–60% of fibers in voluntary effort.
Full definition
TVR is the reflex response to 20–60 Hz vibration: spindles are activated (Ia afferents), the signal reaches the spinal cord through dorsal roots; alpha motor neurons excite and fibers contract while antagonist motor neurons are reciprocally inhibited. Up to 97% of fibers engage (vs 40–60% volitionally) — the key advantage of BMS; the growth model should treat it as a range. The TVR band overlaps the 18–33 Hz working window in its lower part (20–33).
Examples
The “strength” mode is picked where TVR 20–60 Hz overlaps 18–33 Hz.