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Ankle Movements During Supine Kicking in Infants Born Preterm

Marybeth Grant-Beuttler1, Carolyn B Heriza, Robert J Palisano

  • 1Department of Physical Therapy (Dr Grant-Beuttler), Crean College of Health and Behavioral Science, Chapman University, Irvine, California; Doctoral Programs in Pediatric Science (Dr Heriza), Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Provo, Utah; Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences (Dr Palisano), Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Physical Therapy (Drs Reddien Wagner and Miller), Panuska College of Professional Studies, University of Scranton, Scranton, Pennsylvania; Department of Human Physiology (Dr Karduna), University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon.

Pediatric Physical Therapy : the Official Publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association
|March 24, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants show altered ankle movements during kicking due to muscle differences. Understanding these musculoskeletal factors aids early intervention for infant development.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Musculoskeletal Biomechanics
  • Neonatal Motor Control

Background:

  • Knowledge of musculoskeletal factors influencing infant supine kicking is crucial for early intervention strategies.
  • Preterm infants exhibit distinct ankle kinematics during supine kicking compared to full-term infants.
  • These kinematic differences are linked to the passive properties of the gastrocnemius/soleus (g/s) muscle tendon unit (MTU).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between gastrocnemius/soleus muscle tendon unit (MTU) length and ankle kinematics during supine kicking in preterm and full-term infants.
  • To determine the influence of gestational age on MTU length and ankle motion.
  • To provide insights for early intervention based on musculoskeletal assessments.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study measuring ankle kinematics and g/s MTU length in 20 full-term and 22 preterm infants.
  • Measurements were taken at term-equivalent age, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks corrected age.
  • Analysis focused on ankle range of motion, dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, and MTU length.

Main Results:

  • Infants born preterm displayed reduced dorsiflexion, increased plantar flexion, and greater total ankle range of motion during supine kicking.
  • Gestational age was a significant predictor of MTU length, explaining 69% to 85% of variability from term to 12 weeks.
  • MTU lengths accounted for 0% to 42% of the variance observed in ankle kinematics.

Conclusions:

  • Passive measurements of the gastrocnemius/soleus MTU can provide valuable information about ankle kinematics in infants up to 12 weeks of age.
  • Findings suggest potential targets for early intervention in preterm infants related to musculoskeletal development.
  • Understanding these biomechanical differences can inform clinical practice for neonatal motor assessment.
Abstract

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