A gymnast attempts a complex balance beam routine. What causes temporary motor control deficits when she experiences unexpected balance perturbations?

💡 Explanation

Inhibition of spinal reflex pathways disrupts neuromuscular coordination, because supraspinal centers quickly suppress automatic reflexes to allow for more complex, voluntary adjustments to regain balance. Therefore, motor control is temporarily diminished, rather than enhanced activity, as the spinal reflexes attempt to overcorrect.

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