Abstract
New-borns can step when supported for about 70–80% of their own body weight. Gravity-related sensorimotor information might be an important factor in developing the ability to walk independently. We explored how body weight support alters motor control in toddlers during the first independent steps and in toddlers with about half a year of walking experience. Sixteen different typically developing children were assessed during (un)supported walking on a running treadmill. Electromyography of 18–24 bilateral leg and back muscles and vertical ground reaction forces were recorded. Strides were grouped into four levels of body weight support ranging from no (<10%), low (10–35%), medium (35–55%), and high (55–95%) support. We constructed muscle synergies and muscle networks and assessed differences between levels of support and between groups. In both groups, muscle activities could be described by four synergies. As expected, the mean activity decreased with body weight support around foot strikes. The younger first-steps group showed changes in the temporal pattern of the synergies when supported for more than 35% of their body weight. In this group, the muscle network was dense with several interlimb connections. Apparently, the ability to process gravity-related information is not fully developed at the onset of independent walking causing motor control to be fairly disperse. Synergy-specific sensitivity for unloading implies distinct neural mechanisms underlying (the emergence of) these synergies.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 844607 |
Pages (from-to) | 1-12 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Frontiers in Network Physiology |
Volume | 2 |
Issue number | March |
Early online date | 24 Mar 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2022 |
Funding
This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 715945 Learn2Walk and from the Dutch Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) VIDI grant (016.156.346 FirSTeps).
Funders | Funder number |
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Horizon 2020 Framework Programme | 715945 Learn2Walk |
European Research Council | |
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek | 016.156.346 FirSTeps |