Locomotor patterns during obstacle avoidance in children with cerebral palsy

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• Biomechanical Engineering

Background:

• Early brain injuries impact motor control and sensorimotor integration.
• Obstacle clearance demands higher cognitive load than steady-state gait.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how early brain injuries affect gait adaptation during obstacle clearance in children.
• To compare motor planning and control in children with cerebral palsy (CP) versus typically developing (TD) children during obstacle negotiation.

Main Methods:

• Gait kinematics and joint moments were analyzed in 40 children with CP and 22 TD children.
• Electromyographic (EMG) activity and muscle modules were evaluated during obstacle crossing.
• Task performance, foot lift, range of motion, and muscle activation patterns were assessed.

Main Results:

• Children with CP exhibited slower performance, difficulties in motor planning, and higher foot lift.
• CP group showed limited adaptation in muscle modules and delayed hamstring activation during liftoff.
• Approximately 30% of diplegic children failed to complete the obstacle task.

Conclusions:

• Impaired obstacle task performance in CP suggests deficits in adaptable supraspinal and spinal gait control.
• Neurorehabilitation incorporating voluntary tasks like obstacle clearance may benefit gait in children with CP.