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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
Published on: September 11, 2019
Reach performance and postural adjustments during standing in children with severe spastic diplegia using dynamic
Annika Näslund1, Gunnevi Sundelin, Helga Hirschfeld
1Department of Health Science, Division of Health and Rehabilitation, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden. annika.naslund@ltu.se
Insights
Children with spastic diplegia wearing ankle-foot orthoses show impaired reach coordination and balance control. Their muscle activity and ground reaction forces differ significantly from typically developing children during reaching tasks.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
Background:
- Spastic diplegia significantly impacts motor control and balance in children.
- Dynamic ankle-foot orthoses are commonly used to aid mobility.
- Understanding the biomechanics of reaching is crucial for effective rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the coordination of reaching, ground reaction forces, and muscle activity.
- To investigate these parameters in children with spastic diplegia using dynamic ankle-foot orthoses versus typically developing children.
Main Methods:
- A clinical experimental study design was employed.
- Six children with spastic diplegia (Gross Motor Function Classification System level III-IV) and six controls participated.
- Measurements included ground reaction forces, ankle muscle electromyography, and hand displacement during a reaching task.
Main Results:
- Children with spastic diplegia exhibited altered temporal sequencing and amplitude of velocity peaks during reaching.
- They demonstrated a lack of interplay between pushing and braking forces and uncoordinated ankle muscle activity compared to controls.
- Differences were observed in postural adjustments for balance control.
Conclusions:
- Children with spastic diplegia (GMFCS level III-IV) wearing dynamic ankle-foot orthoses display distinct reach performance and postural control strategies.
- These findings highlight significant differences in motor coordination during reaching tasks in this population.
Objective:
To investigate the co-ordination between reaching, ground reaction forces and muscle activity in standing children with severe spastic diplegia wearing dynamic ankle-foot orthoses compared with typically developing children.
Design:
Clinical experimental study.
Subjects:
Six children with spastic diplegia (Gross Motor Function Classification System level III-IV) and 6 controls.
Methods:
Ground reaction forces (AMTI force plates), ankle muscle activity (electromyography and displacement of the hand (ELITE systems) were investigated while reaching for an object.
Results:
For the children with severe spastic diplegia who were wearing dynamic ankle-foot orthoses, co-ordination between upward and forward reach velocity differed regarding the temporal sequencing and amplitude of velocity peaks. During reaching, these children lacked interplay of pushing force beneath the reach leg and braking force beneath the non-reach leg and co-ordinated ankle muscle activity, compared with controls.
Conclusion:
The results suggest differences in reach performance and postural adjustments for balance control during a reaching movement in standing between children with spastic diplegia Gross Motor Function Classification System level III-IV, wearing dynamic ankle-foot orthoses compared with typically developing children.
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