Development of Human Locomotion Flashcards
What is locomotion?
Moving from place to place
Moving on one, two, or three limbs
What are three milestones that must occur before locomotion?
1) Lifting the head in a prone position
2) Enough strength o support and move themselves
3) Uncoupling of the limbs that have moved in unison
What is the progression of locomotion?
1) Crawling: chest and stomach on the ground
2) Low creeping with stomach off the floor but legs working together
3) Rocking back and forth in a high creep
4) Creeping with legs and arms working alternately
What is walking?
The first form of upright, bipedal locomotion
Defined by:
-50% phasing between the legs
-Alternate legs so left is halfway through it motion as the right leg begins its own
-Period of double by periods of single support
What are components of walking?
1) Pelvic tilt
- Crest on side of swing leg drops
2) Pelvic rotation
- on swing side rotates anterior
- on stance side rotates posterior
3) Lateral shift
- stance phase trunk and pelvis shift toward stance leg
4) Width of base
- 2-4 inches (horizontal distance between heels)
5) Stride length
- distance between heel strike of one foot to the heel strike of the same foot
6) Step length
- distance from heel strike of one foot to heel strike of other foot
What is the purpose of the first three walking components?
Minimize shift in the body’s center of gravity
Conservation of energy
What happens during early walking?
Maximize stability and balance over mobility
Arm rigid and in high guard
Feet are out-toed and spread wide
Independent steps
Rate controllers are strength and balance
What happens with proficient walkers?
Trading stability for mobility Stride length increases Base of support is reduced Pelvis is rotated Opposition occurs
What are developmental changes in walking?
Early childhood -age 4 essential components are present Older adults -max stability -out toed increases -stride length decreases -pelvic rotation decreases -speed decreases -objects are used to balance
What is running?
Occurs 6 months after walking Defined by: -50% phasing between legs -flight phase followed by single support -no double support -3 phases (support, flight, recovery) -requires-> strength, and balance
What happens during early running?
stability over mobility (return of old behaviors)
immature running similar to immature walking
-wide base of support
-arms rigid and in high guard
-flat-footed
-short stride
-little rotation
What happens during proficient running?
Less stability Increased stride length Narrow base of support Trunk rotation Opposition
What are developmental changes of running?
Early running:
-qualitative changes in running patterns, physical growth and maturation, result in improved quantitative measures
Later Running (older adult)
-Decrease in:
~Stride length
~ROM
~#of stride
~Speed
-Rate controllers–> balance and strength
-Exercise can allow seniors to run for years
What are rate controllers on later running?
Running requires greater generation of force and balance
Smaller changes in constraints can effect running
An individual may have the ability to run but not have the opportunity to do so or choose not to
What is a jump?
person propels self off ground with one or 2 feet and landing on 2 feet
What is a hop?
Person propels self off the ground with one foot and lands on the same foot
What is a leap?
Person propels self off the ground with one foot, extends flight period and lands on opposite foot
What happens during early jumping?
Children often begin simple jumping before age 2
People can perform either vertical or horizontal jump
Characteristics:
-Jump vertical even if trying horizontal
-One foot take off or landing
-No or limited preparatory movements
What happens during proficient jumping?
Preparatory crouch max takeoff force (trunk forward 30 degrees)
Both feet leave ground at the same time
Arm swing used during jump
For vertical jump, force is directed downward; body extends
For horizontal jump force is directed down and backwards; knees are flexed during flight
What are developmental changes of jumping?
Continuous growth in body size and strength contributes to quantitative improvements
It is not guaranteed that everyone will master jumping
What happens during early hopping?
Hopping starts later than jumping
Characteristics
-Swing leg leads hip and moves through full ROM
-Support leg extends fully at hip
-Oppositional arm movement generates force
-Support leg is flexed on landing
What developmental changes in hopping?
Few children under 3 can hop repeatedly
Adaptations of neuromuscular system that moderates the force of landing
Due to an interaction of individual constraints in the body and within the framework of the principles of motion
What are rate controllers in hopping?
Depends on the postural systems ability to balance on one leg
Ability to generate enough force to lift body with one limb
