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The impact of object carriage on independent locomotion

Diane Marie J Mangalindan1, Mark A Schmuckler1, Shelly-Anne Li1

  • 1University of Toronto Scarborough, Canada.

Infant Behavior & Development
|January 28, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Carrying objects impacts toddlers' arm posture during walking, affecting their gait development. This study reveals how object carriage influences early locomotion skills in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental psychology
  • Motor development
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Independent locomotion is a critical milestone in child development.
  • Understanding factors influencing gait development is essential for identifying potential developmental delays.
  • Arm posture plays a role in balance and gait stability during walking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of carrying objects on independent locomotion in toddlers.
  • To examine kinematic parameters of gait and arm postures under different object carriage conditions.
  • To determine the relationship between arm position and walking skill during object carriage.

Main Methods:

  • 14- and 24-month-old children walked in a straight path.
  • Four object carriage conditions were tested: no object, one object-one hand, two objects-two hands, and one object-two hands.
  • Kinematic parameters of gait and arm postures were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Carrying objects did not significantly alter kinematic gait parameters.
  • Object carriage led to less mature arm postures in children.
  • Arm position correlated with walking skill in older children only when not carrying objects.

Conclusions:

  • Carrying even small loads disrupts the relationship between arm position and gait parameters in toddlers.
  • Object carriage influences the development of mature arm postures during locomotion.
  • Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of object carriage on motor development.

Keywords:
Arm guard positionArm postureGait parameterObject carriageWalking skill

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