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Published on: May 17, 2024
Treadmill responses and physical activity levels of infants at risk for neuromotor delay
Rosa M Angulo-Barroso1, Chad W Tiernan, Li-Chiou Chen
1School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5406, USA. rangulo@umich.edu
Insights
Infants at risk for neuromotor delay showed developmental changes in treadmill stepping and physical activity. Cerebral palsy diagnosis was linked to poorer outcomes, highlighting potential for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Developmental pediatrics
- Neuromotor assessment
- Infant mobility studies
Background:
- Infants at risk for neuromotor delay (ND) exhibit varied developmental trajectories.
- Early identification and characterization of motor development are crucial for timely intervention.
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common cause of neuromotor delay, impacting gross motor function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe developmental changes in treadmill (TM) stepping and physical activity (PA) in infants at risk for ND.
- To compare these changes between infants with and without a cerebral palsy (CP) diagnosis.
- To examine the relationship between stepping, PA, and the onset of walking.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 15 infants at risk for ND (mean age 9.9 months) tested bi-monthly on a TM.
- PA profiles were recorded using activity monitors.
- Six infants received a CP diagnosis during the study period.
Main Results:
- Infants demonstrated increased alternating steps (AltStp), reduced toe contacts, and enhanced high-level PA over time.
- Infants with CP exhibited significantly less AltStp, more toe contacts, and lower high-level PA compared to peers without CP.
- Higher AltStp and high-level PA correlated positively with an earlier onset of walking.
Conclusions:
- Treadmill stepping and physical activity patterns evolve during infancy, with CP diagnosis associated with distinct developmental trajectories.
- These findings suggest that TM-based assessments can identify differences in motor development.
- Future research should explore the efficacy of TM interventions to improve mobility in at-risk infants.
Purpose:
This study described developmental changes in treadmill (TM) stepping and physical activity (PA) of infants at risk for neuromotor delay (ND) and explored these changes by diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP). Relationships of stepping and PA with walking onset were examined.
Method:
Fifteen infants at risk for ND (9.9 +/- 2.4 months) were tested every 2 months on a TM until walking onset or 24 months of corrected age. We recorded PA profiles using an activity monitor. Throughout the study, 6 of the 15 infants received a CP diagnosis.
Results:
Infants increased alternating steps (AltStp), decreased toe contacts, and increased high-level PA. Infants with CP showed less AltStp, more toe contacts, and less high-level PA than those without CP. Infants' AltStp and high-level PA revealed a positive correlation to earlier onset of walking.
Conclusion:
Future studies should examine whether a TM intervention could improve mobility in infants at risk for ND.
