Head stability during whole body movements in spastic diplegia.
Head angular stability is essential for postural control in whole body movement. Using the opto-electronic ELITE system, we have studied head orientation during the movements of squatting from the standing position and straightening-up from the squatting position in 12 children with spastic diplegia and 12 age-matched controls. Although no instruction was given regarding the head, diplegic children consistently performed excessive neck flexion in the squatting movement and excessive hyperextension in the straightening-up movement, whereas normal children maintained the initial orientation throughout both movements. We discuss pathophysiological implications.
Dan
B
B
Laboratory of Movement Biomechanics, ISEPK, Université Libre de, Bruxelles, Belgium. gcheron@ulb.ac.be
Bouillot
E
E
Bengoetxea
A
A
Noël
P
P
Kahn
A
A
Cheron
G
G
D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019416:Head Movements / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007969:Leukomalacia, Periventricular / Q000503:physiopathology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D012027:Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular / Q000502:physiology