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Sit-to-stand movement in children: a longitudinal study based on kinematics data
Carolina Souza Neves Da Costa1, Nelci Adriana C Rocha
1Federal University of Sao Carlos, Department of Physiotherapy and Sports Science, Motion Analysis Research Unit, Jose Sanguineti, 50-403-Bl. 02, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Human Movement Science
|August 29, 2013
Summary
Children improve sit-to-stand (STS) movement by reducing duration and joint flexion. These motor skill improvements correlate with enhanced daily mobility in younger children, though this link weakens after 14 months.
Area of Science:
- Developmental motor control
- Pediatric biomechanics
- Childhood motor learning
Background:
- Sit-to-stand (STS) movement is crucial for daily function.
- Limited research exists on the developmental trajectory of STS in infants.
- Understanding STS acquisition informs pediatric physical therapy and developmental assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally describe the kinematic characteristics of STS movement in children aged 12 to 18 months.
- To examine the relationship between changes in STS kinematics and daily-life mobility.
- To identify developmental milestones in infant STS performance.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 10 healthy children from 12 to 18 months.
- Motion analysis system to capture joint angles and movement duration during STS.
- Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) for assessing daily-life mobility.
Main Results:
- Children demonstrated increased successful STS frequency with reduced movement duration and peak joint flexion (ankle dorsiflexion, trunk flexion).
- A decrease in trunk flexion at the start and end of STS was observed with age.
- Improvements in STS kinematics correlated with better functional skills and reduced caregiver assistance in younger children (under 14 months).
Conclusions:
- Infants refine STS movement through decreased duration and joint flexion, indicating motor learning.
- Early improvements in STS kinematics are associated with functional gains in mobility.
- The relationship between STS refinement and daily mobility diminishes after 14 months of age.
