Changes in step variability of new walkers with typical development and with Down syndrome.
Models of human gait are based on adult locomotion. C. E. Bauby and A. D. Kuo (2000) proposed that adults rely on passive mechanisms at the spinal level to control motion in the anteroposterior direction and rely on direct monitoring of postural control in the lateral direction. The authors' purpose in this study was to determine if that model applies to control at the onset of walking in typically developing toddlers (n = 9) and in toddlers with Down syndrome (n = 6). Their longitudinal data suggested that toddlers control gait in a distinctly different manner than adults do. An adult pattern of control emerges with experience. In addition, the effect of experience on the emergence of that pattern is magnified by task-specific early intervention. The present data support the emergence and discovery of efficient patterns of control in this fundamental human behavior.
Looper
Julia
J
Division of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, 401 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. jlooper@umich.edu
Wu
Jianhua
J
Angulo Barroso
Rosa
R
Ulrich
Dale
D
Ulrich
Beverly D
BD
D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011187:Posture; D016138:Walking