Untitled Notes

Definition: Locomotion is the act of moving or the capability to move from one place to another.
Lifelong Activity: Changes continuous as constraints (environmental, physical) change.
Systems Involved: Many interacting systems cater to various constraints and impacts on locomotory choices.

Initial Focus: Development of gross motor skills through:
- Spontaneous movements: Natural movements observed in infants.
- Reflexes: Automatic responses crucial for development.
- Motor Milestones: Key achievements indicating developmental progress.

First Motor Milestones:
- Holding head up: A crucial milestone that facilitates further locomotion.
Types of Movement:
- Creeping: Movement on hands and knees.
- Crawling: Movement on hands and stomach.
Progression of Crawling and Creeping:
1. Flat crawling with the chest on the floor.
2. Low creeping with stomach off the floor.
3. Rocking back and forth in high creeping position.
4. Alternating arm and leg movement while creeping.

Uncommon: Occurs under specific environmental constraints (e.g., rough surfaces) and requires caregiver reinforcement.
Strength Requirement: Above average strength needed, which is typically rare in infants.

Primary Locomotion: After infancy, most revert to walking as the main form of locomotion due to its efficiency.
Initial Constraints: Muscle strength and balance are critical rate limiters.
Characteristics: Bipedal, upright movement with alternating legs and synchronized arm swings.
Phases in Walking:
- Period of double support (both feet on ground) followed by single support (one foot).
Timing: 50% phasing indicates synchronization between leg movements.

Early Childhood: Children typically adopt an advanced walking style by age 4.
Older Adulthood: Gait changes significantly after age 60:
- Step length shortens
- Increased toe outing
- Reduced ankle extension
- Decreased pelvic rotation
- Reduced speed; objects such as canes or walkers aid balance.

More Complex: More advanced than walking, running includes a flight phase that walking lacks.
Onset: Children typically start running 6-7 months post-walking.

Early Attempts:
- Limited leg range of motion (ROM).
- Arm swings are limited and ineffective.
Proficient Running:
- Optimal running maximizes speed with:
- Increased stride length and force.
- Elimination of lateral arm and leg movements.
- Slight forward leaning to enhance performance.

Step	Leg Action	Arm Action
Step 1	Minimal flight, short, flat-footed step.	High/middle guard, minimal movement.
Step 2	Long stride, lateral knee flexing during recovery.	Coupled bilateral arm swing.
Step 3	Long stride, direct projection for leg movement.	Opposition arm swing increases.
Step 4	Arms complete full rotation, maintaining opposition.	Optimized arm swing in the sagittal plane.

Step	Leg Action	Arm Action
Step 1	One-foot takeoff, little preparatory flexion.	Arms remain stationary initially.
Step 2	Early knee extension creates vertical jump.	Arms swing forward from sides.
Step 3	Knees extend simultaneously with heels lifting.	Arms extend back during flexion.
Step 4	Heels lift first, then knees extend.	Arms reach overhead on takeoff.

Skill Complexity: Hopping is more complex than jumping as it requires balance on a single foot.
Developmental Aspects:
- Few children under age 3 can hop repeatedly.
- Strength and balance develop differentially on preferred versus non-preferred legs.

Galloping: Asymmetric movement appears between ages 2-3, requiring independent leg action.
Sliding: Follows galloping, moving sideways.
Skipping: Symmetric movement involving alternating step-hops, emerging around ages 4-7. Coordination becomes a primary limitation instead of strength or balance.