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Hierarchy of Motor Control01:18

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

The Impact of Motor Task Conditions on Goal-Directed Arm Reaching Kinematics and Trunk Compensation in Chronic Stroke Survivors
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Published on: May 2, 2021

Segmental trunk control acquisition and reaching in typically developing infants.

Jaya Rachwani1, Victor Santamaria, Sandra L Saavedra

  • 1Department of Human Physiology and Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA. rachwani@uoregon.edu

Experimental Brain Research
|May 18, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

External pelvic support improved infant reaching accuracy and stability. Trunk control, particularly in the lumbar region, is crucial for developing advanced reaching behaviors in infants.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental motor control
  • Infant biomechanics
  • Motor learning

Background:

  • Trunk control is fundamental for developing coordinated upper limb movements.
  • Infant reaching behavior is a key indicator of motor development.
  • External support can modulate motor performance in developing infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of external trunk support on infant reaching.
  • To determine if support at the thoracic or pelvic level differentially impacts reaching success.
  • To examine the relationship between trunk control level and reaching kinematics/stability.

Main Methods:

  • Seventeen infants (4-6 months) participated.
  • Infants were grouped based on trunk control using the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control.
  • Reaching tasks were performed with and without external thoracic and pelvic support.

Main Results:

  • Pelvic support significantly enhanced reaching in infants with higher trunk control (lumbar region).
  • Infants with lumbar trunk control showed improved accuracy (less time, straighter path) and stability (less trunk/head displacement) with pelvic support.
  • Thoracic support did not yield significant differences in reaching quality across groups.

Conclusions:

  • Trunk control, especially lumbar, is a critical predictor of reaching success.
  • External pelvic support facilitates improved reaching and stability in infants with adequate trunk control.
  • Targeted support can aid in understanding and potentially enhancing infant motor development.