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Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
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Locomotion and Postural Control in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Novel Kinesiological Assessment
Riccardo Di Giminiani1, Stefano La Greca1, Stefano Marinelli1
1Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
|October 25, 2024
Summary
A novel knee-ankle diagram effectively distinguishes autism (ASD) from typical development (TD) by revealing differences in gait and postural control. Reduced lateral gastrocnemius activation in ASD may explain altered locomotion and toe-walking patterns.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by differences in motor control and gait.
- Assessing gait and postural control in ASD requires sensitive and specific measurement tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a novel joint-angle plotting method for assessing gait and postural control in individuals with ASD and typical development (TD).
- To identify kinematic and muscle activation differences between ASD and TD groups.
Main Methods:
- Synchronous measurement of surface electromyography (sEMG) and joint angles during gait and postural tasks.
- Analysis of the knee-ankle diagram and sEMG activity in 20 young adult males (10 ASD, 10 TD).
Main Results:
- Significant differences were found in the knee-ankle diagram between ASD and TD groups (p < 0.05).
- Reduced lateral gastrocnemius (LG) sEMG activity during gait's contact phase in the ASD group (p < 0.05).
- Differences in LG and tibialis anterior (TA) sEMG activity were observed during postural control tasks between groups (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- The knee-ankle diagram is a sensitive and specific tool for differentiating individuals with ASD from TD.
- Reduced LG activation contributes to the altered knee-ankle diagram and 'toe-walking' observed in ASD.
- These findings suggest an altered ankle strategy in locomotion and postural control in individuals with ASD.
