Neuromotor Control - Chapter 13 Lecture

Development of Mobility

3 requirements for locomotion

• Progression: rhythmic steping pattern

• Stability: control of balance

• Adaptation: ability to modify gait

Emerge sequentially!

Primary constraint on locomotor behavior…

…immaturity of postural control system

Development of Locomotion

Characteristics of mature gait

• Duration of single-limb stance

• Walking velocity

• Cadence

• Step length

• Ratio of pelvic span to step width

KEY POINT

• Some elements (nervous and musculoskeletal) may be ready for milestone before others, but all systems must wait for maturation of the slowest components before target behavior can appear

• What constraints cause a baby to be unable to walk by 12 months?

  • They aren’t strong enough and balance control is not ready yet

Single-limb stance

Increases steadily from 32% in 1-year-olds to 38% in 7-year-olds

Walking velocity and cadence

Decrease steadily as step length increases

Gait pattern

Matures by 3 years of age (small improvements continue until 7 years of age)

Walking initial phase

Infants learning to control balance (3-6 months after initiation of walking)

Walking second phase

Locomotor pattern (progression) progressively refined (through 5 years of independent walking)

Indicators of balance development

Walking, running, galloping, hopping, and skipping (usually show up in order of intensity/difficulty)