title: The development of compensatory stepping skills in children.
abstract: The development of the ability to use the step for balance recovery was studied among twenty-five 9- to 19-month-old children. The children were grouped according to walking experience (4 levels) and exposed to backward support surface translations, 8 cm in amplitude, under 3 velocity conditions: 15, 20, and 25 cm/s. New walkers (up to 2 weeks' walking experience) used the step infrequently and ineffectively in response to threats to balance. Intermediate walkers (1-3 months' walking experience) showed an increasing use of the step and significant improvement in step execution compared with new walkers. Advanced walkers (>3; months' walking experience) experienced no falls throughout the protocol, capturing balance with feet-in-place or step responses under all perturbation conditions. A significant developmental transition in the emergence of the compensatory step occurred between the new walker and the intermediate walker experience levels, that is, within the first 3 months of walking experience. Three to 6 months' experience was required for the development of an effective stepping response. A concomitant change in mediolateral stability paralleled the emergence of compensatory stepping.
authors.affiliation: University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Roncesvalles
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Woollacott
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Jensen
mesh_terms: D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology