Influence of specific training on spatio-temporal parameters at the onset of goal-directed reaching in infants.
BACKGROUND
There is evidence that long-term experience can promote functional changes in infants. However, much remains unknown about how a short-term experience affects performance of a task.


OBJECTIVE
This study aims to investigate the influence of a single training session at the onset of goal-directed reaching on the spatio-temporal parameters of reaching and whether there are differences in the effects of training across different reaching positions.


METHODS
Thirty-three infants were divided into three groups: 1) a control group; 2) a group that was reach trained in a reclined position; and 3) a group trained in the supine position. The infants were submitted to two assessments (pre- and post-training) in two testing positions (supine and reclined at 45°).


RESULTS
The short-duration training sessions were effective in promoting shorter reaches in the specific position in which the training was conducted. Training in the reclined position was associated with shorter and faster reaches upon assessment in the reclined position.


CONCLUSIONS
A few minutes of reach training are effective in facilitating reaching behavior in infants at the onset of reaching. The improvements in reaching were specific to the position in which the infants were trained.
Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Department of Physical Therapy, São CarlosSP, Brazil.
Andréa B
AB
Cunha
Marjorie
M
Woollacott
Eloisa
E
Tudella
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D062211:Spatio-Temporal Analysis