Concepts of adult motor control

extensor muscles

muscles that engage in antigravity control first

4th month

begin to see indications of antigravity flexor control

6 months

when flexors begin to catch up with extensors

cephalocaudal direction

development proceeds in this direction

bilateral symmetrical movements

lifting head using extensor muscles of head and neck

3 months of age

bilateral symmetrical control in supine is developed

4 months of age

bilateral symmetrical control in prone is developed

alternate reciprocal movements

rotation superimposed on bilateral symmetrical flexor or extensor control

seen when a 3 1/2 month old lifts its head in prone in a bilateral symmetrical pattern and then turns it to one side or the other with purpose and control

unilateral symmetrical movements

flexor and extensor muscles on the same side of the body are working together to produce lateral movement of the head and or trunk

diagonal reciprocal movements

most advance patterns of movement

there is a weight shift

involves activity of the contralateral upper and lower extremities working across the trunk

mobility

ability to move and to assume a desired position

development progresses from the activation of muscles in undifferentiated patterns to muscle activation in highly differentiated patterns

stability

ability to maintain a posture

structural stability

results from tissue tightness from in utero position

positional stability

achieved by using the body or body parts to create a large base of support

internal stability

child will have internal control mechanism that allows it to maintain a posture or position without the need for positional control

infants center of gravity

T4 nipple level

point of stability

\-point in a posture toward which the weight is shifted

\-least moveable point in the posture

muscle tone

resistance to passive stretch

hypertonus

too much muscle tone (spasticity or rigidity)

hypotonus

too little muscle tone (floppy or flacid)

spasticty

resistance to passive movement that is velocity dependent

rigidity

passive resistance to movement that is not speed dependent (resistance is constant)

compliance

measure of a tissue’s ability to yield to pressure or force without disruption

(normal infant has a slight decrease due to flexor tightness)

controlled mobility

characterized by the ability to move in and out of posture, to make postural transition, to weight shift in posture

\-involves static dynamic work

skill

appropriate combination of 1st three stages in relation to speed, timing, direction, force, and control for efficient performance of desired activity