Figure 1.

Experimental paradigm. After control recording sessions (n = 2–3) to obtain baseline kinematic values for locomotion in the intact state, 9 cats underwent a hemisection targeting the left side of the spinal cord at T10. Three weeks after the hemisection, a complete transection of the spinal cord (i.e., spinalization) was performed at T13, i.e., 3 segments below the hemisection and removed all remaining supraspinal inputs to the spinal locomotor circuitry. Twenty-four hours after spinalization, 4 of the 9 cats were trained to locomote 20 min per day during 21 d while the locomotor performance of the 5 other cats was only evaluated once a week to prevent any training. Day 0 (d0) refers to the day of the hemisection and serves as reference to illustrate other experimental time points. L, Left; R, right.