Peds (L3) - Motor Development Pt. 2

T/F: An infant is able to stand on their own two feet within a day or two after birth.

TRUE-ish... sort of... They have an automatic standing/stepping reflex present at birth that quickly gets reintegrated until they learn how to deal with gravity

What would you expect a 2-month-old to be able to do in terms of standing?

A whole lot of nothing. (Astasia and Abasia)

Define astasia

little or no WB while placed on feet

define abasia

automatic stepping reflex is no longer elicited

What would you expect a 5 month old to be able to do in terms of standing?

only able to take partial weight on LE's

What would you expect a 7 month old to be able to do in terms of standing?

Beginning to be able to put full weight on LE's

may be able to stand and walk with UE supported

What would you expect a 7-8 month old to be able to do in terms of standing?

- bouncing

- able to pull themselves up using external support

What is the developmental tipping point for infants to be able to take their first steps?

When postural control develops to the point of effectively controlling the COM to avoid falling (they get much better balance)

What are the 7 phases to erect locomotion (roughly)?

1.) Stepping reflex

2.) Astasia

3.) Volitional weight bearing

4.) Assited Locomotion

5.) High Guarding

6.) Arms down to the side

7.) Trunk and head become more erect

What are some characteristics of immature gait as seen in the initial stage of gait development?

- forward leaning

- high guard arms

- wide BOS

- small, shuffling steps

- "monster walking"

What are some characteristics of immature gait as seen in the first 9-15 months of gait development?

- COM starts moving lower (towards lower t-spine)

- Better frontal (side to side) control

- TONS of genu varum with short little legs

What are some characteristics of immature gait as seen in the first 18-24 months of gait development?

- Boom in LE length causes COM to move even further down

- Genu varum decreases to neutral

- much less monster walking with a decreased BOS (more AP movement)

What are some characteristics of mature gait as seen in the first 3-3.5 years of gait development?

- consistent heel strike

- genu VALGUS

- almost an adult, but still lacking mechanics and speed as well as postural control

By what age is a child's gait pattern "adult-like"?

by 7 years old

By what age is a child's postural control at full maturity?

10-12 years of age

What are the requirements for successful locomotion?

1.) Rhythmic stepping pattern

2.) Control of balance

3.) Ability to adapt and modify gait

If a child were to be tasked with walking while playing with a toy, which task would the child likely prioritie over the other?

The child would prioritize the cognitive task (toy) over walking

In what order does advanced gait activities develop?

1.) Walking

2.) Running

3.) Galloping

4.) Hopping (single leg)

5.) Skipping

What does a child tend to learn first: ascending or descending stairs?

Ascending! (they begin in quadruped creep)