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Factors influencing on gross motor skills in infants: Implications for walking development
Noppharath Sangkarit1, Weerasak Tapanya1
1Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand.
Insights
Container size and floor surface impact preterm infant gross motor development. Large containers and soft floors are associated with better percentile gains in infants aged 8-13 months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric developmental science
- Infant motor development research
Background:
- Investigating the influence of environmental factors on infant motor skills.
- Focus on moderate to late preterm infants during crucial developmental stages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the effect of baby containers on gross motor percentile in preterm infants.
- To identify specific container characteristics that may influence motor development.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study tracking 60 preterm infants from 8 to 13 months corrected age.
- Monthly assessments of gross motor percentile using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale.
- Parent interviews to gather data on container usage and features.
Main Results:
- Infant gross motor percentiles showed variability, averaging 37.81.
- Large container size (Coef. = 15.29, p < 0.001) and soft floor surfaces (Coef. = 3.64, p = 0.042) were significantly associated with higher gross motor percentiles.
- Significant correlation between container characteristics and motor skill development.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants demonstrate relatively stable gross motor development and achieve independent walking by 13 months.
- Recommendations for container use in preterm infants emphasize wide spaces and soft floor surfaces.
- Optimizing container environments can support enhanced gross motor development in early infancy.
Background:
This longitudinal study aimed to explore the impact of containers on gross motor percentile from 8 to 13 months corrected age during the walking development in moderate to late preterm infants.
Methods:
Sixty preterm infants were enrolled in this study, and their monthly assessment the gross motor percentile using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale. Monthly parent interviews focused on collecting information about container characteristics.
Results:
Infants exhibited fluctuating percentiles in gross motor development, averaging 37.81 (SD = 21.9; SEM = 1.4). The gross motor skills percentiles varied between 2 and 86 points across the six assessments. Factors significantly associated with gross motor development percentiles were a large container size (Coef. = 15.29; p < 0.001*) and a container with a soft floor surface (Coef. = 3.64; p = 0.042*).
Conclusion:
Healthy preterm infants exhibited minimal instability in gross motor development and attained walking independently by 13 months. Placing preterm infants in a baby container during their first year should prioritize a wide space and a soft floor surface to enhance gross motor development.
