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Development of lower extremity kinetics for balance control in infants and young children
M N Roncesvalles1, M H Woollacott, J L Jensen
1Department of Exercise Science, University of Oregon, Eugene, USA.
Insights
Children
Area of Science:
- Developmental motor control
- Biomechanics
- Pediatric kinesiology
Background:
- Balance control is crucial for motor development.
- Locomotor experience significantly influences balance strategies.
- Understanding developmental changes in balance is key for pediatric motor research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate developmental changes in the kinematics and kinetics of balance control.
- To examine how locomotor experience impacts balance responses in children.
- To identify factors contributing to robust balance skills in developing individuals.
Main Methods:
- Studied 61 children aged 9 months to 10 years, categorized by locomotor milestones.
- Assessed responses to support-surface translations of varying size and speed.
- Analyzed scaled trials, comparing kinematic and kinetic parameters.
Main Results:
- Children with greater locomotor experience demonstrated superior balance, withstanding larger perturbations.
- Balance improvement was independent of initial posture (crouch/lean).
- Advanced locomotor skills correlated with faster recovery times and larger relative muscle torques, approaching adult-like responses.
Conclusions:
- Locomotor experience is a primary driver of improved balance control in children.
- Developmental changes in muscle torque regulation contribute to robust balance.
- Kinetic and kinematic adaptations enhance balance performance with increasing experience.
Abstract:
Developmental changes in the kinematics and kinetics underlying balance control were studied in 61 children, 9 months to 10 years of age. The children were classified according to developmental milestones as standers; new, intermediate, and advanced walkers; runners-jumpers; hoppers; gallopers; and skippers. The children experienced support-surface translations of varying size and speed. Children with greater locomotor experience withstood larger balance threats without collapsing or stepping. Analyses of scaled trials (perturbations normalized in size to foot length and center of gravity height) revealed that improvement in balance was not related to initial configuration parameters surrounding the task (degree of crouch or lean). Children with advanced locomotor skills had faster recovery times and relatively larger muscle torques than children with less experience. Relative torque-time histories of the more experienced children began to match the adult response to similar perturbations. With increased experience and changing muscle torque regulatory abilities, balance skills became more robust.