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Movement smoothness during dynamic postural control to a static target differs between autistic and neurotypical
Haylie L Miller1, Tylan N Templin2, Nicholas E Fears3
1University of North Texas Health Science Center, School of Health Professions, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76109, USA; University of Michigan, 830 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48170, USA.
Gait & Posture
|November 6, 2022
Summary
Autistic children show less smooth movements and use stepping strategies more often during dynamic postural control tasks. These differences in movement smoothness are linked to specific strategies used to maintain balance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
Background:
- Autistic individuals exhibit distinct motor performance, including postural instability and atypical gross motor control.
- Dynamic postural control in autism remains understudied.
- This research is the first to quantify movement smoothness during lateral dynamic postural control in autism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if autistic children exhibit less smooth movements compared to neurotypical children during lateral dynamic postural control tasks.
- To investigate the relationship between movement smoothness and specific movement strategies in autistic children.
- To analyze spatiotemporal characteristics of movement during virtual environment tasks.
Main Methods:
- Utilized camera-based motion capture to analyze spatiotemporal movement characteristics of the C7 vertebrae and trunk/pelvis segments.
- Employed dynamic postural control tasks (lateral movements to near and far targets) in an immersive virtual environment.
- Quantified movement smoothness using log dimensionless jerk in 15 autistic and 11 neurotypical children.
Main Results:
- Autistic children displayed greater medial-lateral pelvic motion and more frequent use of a stepping strategy.
- Autistic children had higher log dimensionless jerk (indicating less smooth movement) for C7 marker motion compared to neurotypicals.
- Movement smoothness decreased for farther targets, and trial durations were longer in autistic children and younger participants.
Conclusions:
- The increased use of stepping strategies in autistic children likely contributes to reduced movement smoothness and higher jerk.
- These strategies may reflect attempts to manage or recover from balance loss.
- Findings highlight differences in dynamic postural control and movement strategies in autism.
