Additional weight influences the reaching behavior of low-risk preterm infants.
The authors investigated the influence of additional weight in the reaching behavior of preterm infants. Nine low-risk preterm and 10 full-term infants age 5-7 months participated. A toy was presented in two procedures: (a) baseline and (b) additional weight (bracelet with weight of 20% of the infant's upper limb mass). The additional weight reduced the straightness index at 5 months, increased the mean velocity and decreased the movement units at all months, and increased unsuccessful grasps at 5 and 7 months in preterm infants. Preterm infants showed less movement units at all months and less unsuccessful grasps at 6 months compared with full-term infants. Weight disturbance seems to change the intrinsic dynamics involved in reaching movements of 5-7-month-old preterm infants.
School of Physical Therapy, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil. toledo_am@yahoo.com.br
Aline Martins
AM
de Toledo
Daniele de Almeida
DA
Soares
Eloisa
E
Tudella
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*