INFANT GAIT

Question 1

neurological development of the infant progresses how?

Answer 1

cephalad to caudad

Question 2

major characteristics of the gait the infant?

Answer 2

all forms of crawling, walking and running

controlling limbs, spine, and head movements

in early infancy they require more support as muscles are not equipped to control the body parts

Question 3

prerequisites for infant gait?

Answer 3

postural control (proprioception, ligamentous stability, muscle strength, bone structure, pelvic stabilization)

Question 4

characteristics of gait?

Answer 4

center mass: high above umbilicus

step length: distance between 2 successive
foot contacts

velocity: average distance traveled in CM/SEC
cadence: number of steps per minute

stride length: distance between 2 contacts of the same foot

Question 5

gait matured by what age?

Answer 5

7 years