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Development of the relationship between active and passive muscle power in preterms after term age
L de Groot1, A M vd Hoek, B Hopkins
1Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, Free University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
Preterm infants show distinct developmental patterns in the interplay between active and passive muscle power compared to full-term infants. This study highlights differences in muscle power development trajectories from birth to 24 weeks corrected age.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Motor Development
- Neuromuscular Function
Background:
- Understanding muscle power development is crucial for assessing infant health.
- Preterm infants may exhibit altered developmental trajectories compared to full-term infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in the development of the relationship between active and passive muscle power in preterm versus full-term infants.
- To assess if preterm infants follow a different developmental course in muscle power interrelationships.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal assessment of 58 infants (37 low-risk preterms, 21 healthy full-terms).
- Utilized a specialized instrument to evaluate the developing relationship between active and passive muscle power.
- Infants were followed from term until 24 weeks corrected age.
Main Results:
- Preterm infants demonstrated markedly different developmental patterns in the interrelationship between active and passive muscle power compared to full-term infants.
- Significant variations observed in the muscle power development trajectory.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants exhibit a distinct developmental course in the interplay of active and passive muscle power.
- The assessment instrument shows potential for early detection of pathological signs in muscle development.
Abstract:
Fifty-eight infants were assessed with an instrument which is designed to evaluate the development of the relationship between active and passive muscle power. The purpose of this longitudinal assessment was to investigate whether preterms show a different development course than fullterms in the relationship between these two components of muscle power. Thirty-seven low-risk preterms and twenty-one healthy fullterms were followed from term until 24 weeks corrected age. It is concluded that preterms differ markedly from fullterms in the developing interrelationship between active and passive muscle power. The value of the instrument for detecting signs of early pathology is discussed.