Postural Control

Question 1

Periods of life-span development

Answer 1

žPrenatal = Conception to Birth

žNeonatal = Birth to 1 month old

žInfancy = 1 month old to 1 years old (Toddler 1-2, 3,4 years old?)

žEarly Childhood = 2 to 6 years old

žLate Childhood = 6 to 12 years old

žAdolescence = 12 to 18 years old

žYoung Adulthood = 18 to 40 y.o.

žMiddle Age = 40 to 60 y.o.

žOlder Adulthood = 60 y.o. and older

Question 2

Prenatal

Answer 2

• development is genetically pre-determined: genetic transmission through cellular and structural variations
• Embryonic period: up to 8 weeks
• žFetal period: 8 weeks to birth

Question 3

Infancy

Answer 3

• —Rudimentary Phase
  
  • movement is usually determined by maturation and it is predictable: rolling over, pulling up to sit, crawling, pulling to stand, walking
• motor control develops in a cephalocaudal and proximodistal order

Question 4

Childhood (Early)

Answer 4

• EARLY: 2-6yo
  
  • Significant stage in the development of fundamental motor skills –fundamental movement phase (increase in locomotor and non-locomotor skills)
  • Development of perceptual-movement awareness (body awareness and balance)
  • Development of manipulative skills-kicking and throwing a ball
  • Development of the ability to care for oneself
  • Preparation for school

ž

Question 5

Childhood (LATE)

Answer 5

• LATE: 6-12 yo
  
  • Significant time for the refinement of fundamental motor skills and movement awareness
  • Sport skill phase:
    
    • increase in interest and
    • ability to learn sport movements
  • —Period of concrete thinking

Question 6

Adolescence

Answer 6

• —Growth and Refinement Phase-Most significant motor behavior change is during puberty
  
  • Physical changes of puberty
  • Accelerated growth
  • Appearance of secondary sex characteristics
  • Ability to reproduce
  • Deepening of voice
  • Logical and abstract thought
  • Development of identity
  • Concern with independence

Question 7

Developmental Continuum Graph

Answer 7

• Stages
  
  • Prenatal—conception to birth
  • Infancy—birth to (2)? years
  • Childhood—2 to 12 years
  • Adolescence—12 to 18 years
  • Adulthood—18 years and older
• Phases
  
  • Reflexive/spontaneous movement
  • Rudimentary
  • Fundamental movement
  • Sport skill
  • Growth and refinement
  • Peak performance
  • Regression

Question 8

Postural Control

Answer 8

žCooperative interaction of sensory, musculoskeletal, and motor control systems for postural orientation and stability

Question 9

Development of Postural Control- Vision

Answer 9

žVision-most powerful sensory system functioning to regulate posture for feedback correction and for selection of anticipatory postural strategies

Question 10

Development of Postural Control- Somatosensory

Answer 10

žSomatosensory-proprioception, kinesthesia-postural control related to body positioning and righting

Question 11

Development of Postural Control- Vestibular

Answer 11

žVestibular-regulate head control and reference gravitational forces to prevent slow drift of trunk

Question 12

Head Righting

Answer 12

• žOrienting the head to horizontal as the torso moves through a multitude of positions
• Basically moving the head to keep eyes on the horizon
• The control of head position is vital to gaze stability and orientation to the environment

Question 13

Protective Reaction

Answer 13

• žIf Equilibrium reaction fails or if the child perceives it that way.

Question 14

Equilibrium Reaction

Answer 14

• žWhen the center of mass shifts outside the base of support. The torso elongates on the weight bearing side and laterally flexes on the non weight bearing side The upper and lower extremity usually abduct on the non weight bearing side
• žElicited as a response to an external response or in preparation of a movement.

Question 15

Postural Control Sequence

Answer 15

• žRequires dynamic interaction between neural and musculoskeletal systems
• Cephalocaudal direction
• 2 months: prone-head and chin up
• 3 months: prone-head and chest up/prop on forearms
• 4 months: good head control,start to reach and roll
• 6 months: sit alone
• 9 months: crawl on all fours
• 10 months: pull to stand
• 12 months: stand alone and take steps

***Independent Walking single most important milestone in motor development

Question 16

Reaching

Answer 16

• žOne of the first motor skills infants perform and provides an early window into their motor control and their interaction with the world
• Postural control, strength, visual acuity, cognition and motivation all play a role in the development of reaching and grasping

Question 17

Locomotive Control

Answer 17

• žNeural foundations for locomotion assembled in neurogenesis
• žIsolated kicks 9th embryonic week
• Alternating leg movements like stepping initiated with postural changes like back flips in 14th embryonic week
• After birth, infant’s movement continue to resemble those in utero but they most learn to modify their movement in response to gravity as well as all the new sensory feedback

Question 18

Timeline of events (LONG)

Answer 18

• žEye movement early and often contributes to the emergence of movement. Gaze shifts occur at birth.
• Shifts of gaze are usually proceeded with rapid shifts of body movement.
• Smooth visual pursuit at 6 weeks
• Adult like by 14 weeks
• Toddlers gain 5 pounds and 2.5 inches each year
• 2 y.o.-kick a ball, steer a push toy, stair activity (both feet on one step)
  
  • ***Brain size has doubled
• ž2.5-walk on tip toes, jump with both feet, stand on one foot, throw and catch a ball using arms and body together, some dress/undress, eating with spoon
  
  • Physical height reaches ½ adult height by 2-2.5 y.o.
• ž3 y.o.- alternate feet up stairs, hop on one foot, self feed, hold glass in one hand, tricycle (some)
  
  • Brain size 90% of adult size
• ž4 y.o.- walk down stairs, both feet each step, eat with utensils (no cutting), dress/undress (no shoelaces, small buttons)
• 5 y.o.- climb comfortably, long jump, alternating steps down, skipping,acrobatic tricks
• 6 y.o.- “lugging, tugging, digging, dancing, climbing, pushing, pulling”
  
  • Brain size is adult size