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Development of dynamic stability in children's rhythmic movement

Eric G James1, S Lee Hong, Karl M Newell

  • 1Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.

Developmental Psychobiology
|July 8, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Motor pattern stability increases with age. Children and adults showed more stable rhythmic movements as they got older, even with changes in foot support.

Area of Science:

  • Motor control
  • Developmental psychology
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Rhythmic motor patterns are crucial for daily activities.
  • Understanding the developmental trajectory of motor pattern stability is important.
  • Previous research has not fully explored age-related changes in rocking stability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that rhythmic motor pattern stability increases with developmental age.
  • To examine how age influences the stability of seated rocking movements.
  • To determine the effect of foot support on rocking stability across different age groups.

Main Methods:

  • Participants aged 6, 10, and 18-23 years performed a seated rocking task.
  • Rocking movements were recorded using a force platform to measure center of pressure.
  • The task was performed with and without foot support to assess environmental influences.

Main Results:

  • An age-related decrease in rocking frequency and cycle period variability was observed.
  • Stability of rocking dynamics, measured by phase angle variability, increased with age.
  • Foot support reduced stability and variability in children, but not in adults.

Conclusions:

  • Developmental age is associated with enhanced stability of rhythmic motor patterns.
  • Motor pattern stability can adapt to altered environmental conditions with age.
  • Findings suggest maturation of motor control systems underlies increased stability.

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