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Muscle activation patterns in infants with myelomeningocele stepping on a treadmill
Jennifer K Sansom1, Caroline Teulier, Beth A Smith
1Developmental Neuromotor Control Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA. jksansom@umich.edu
Insights
Infants with myelomeningocele (MMC) exhibit limited and inconsistent lower limb muscle activation during treadmill stepping in their first year. Muscle activity patterns show high variability and little improvement over time.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neurology
- Developmental biomechanics
- Rehabilitation science
Background:
- Myelomeningocele (MMC) is a complex congenital condition affecting neural development and motor function.
- Understanding early motor control in infants with MMC is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
- Limited research exists on the natural development of lower limb muscle activation in infants with MMC during supported locomotion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the developmental trajectory of lower limb muscle activation in infants with myelomeningocele (MMC) during the first year of life.
- To analyze muscle activation patterns, timing, and rhythmicity during treadmill stepping without prior practice.
- To establish a baseline of neuromuscular control in infants with MMC for future therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of twelve infants with myelomeningocele (MMC) at 1, 6, and 12 months of age.
- Electromyography (EMG) utilized to record activity from key lower limb muscles: tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris.
- Analysis of muscle activation patterns during supported stepping on a motorized treadmill.
Main Results:
- Infants with MMC demonstrated absent electromyographic activity for approximately 50% of the stride cycle.
- Muscle activation, when present, was characterized by poor rhythmicity and timing.
- Predominance of single muscle activations with low agonist-antagonist coactivation; probability of muscle activity decreased with age.
Conclusions:
- Infants with myelomeningocele (MMC) exhibit significant variability in the timing and duration of lower limb muscle activity.
- Complex muscle activation combinations were rarely observed, indicating limited motor synergy development.
- Minimal changes in muscle activation patterns were noted over the first year of life, highlighting the need for early intervention.
Purpose:
To characterize how infants with myelomeningocele (MMC) activate lower limb muscles over the first year of life, without practice, while stepping on a motorized treadmill.
Methods:
Twelve infants with MMC were tested longitudinally at 1, 6, and 12 months. Electromyography was used to collect data from the tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, biceps femoris.
Results:
Across the first year, infants showed no electromyographic activity for approximately 50% of the stride cycle with poor rhythmicity and timing of muscles, when activated. Single muscle activation predominated; agonist-antagonist coactivation was low. Probability of individual muscle activity across the stride decreased with age.
Conclusions:
Infants with MMC show high variability in timing and duration of muscle activity, few complex combinations, and very little change over time.
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