title: Kinematic analysis of preterm newborns' spontaneous movements for postural activity assessment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this pilot study were to assess the potential use of 3D videography for analyzing the motion of the body center of mass (COM) in newborns and to determine differences in spontaneous movements between preterm and full-term infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  The group comprised 10 preterm newborns (gestational age at birth between 26 and 37 weeks; birth weight 800 to 2960 g; gestational age at the time of examination 34 to 39 weeks) and 10 full-term infants (gestational week 38 to 41; birth weight 2810 to 4360 g). To determine the range of motion of the COM, 3D videography was used (2 cameras, 25 Hz). When recording their movements, the infants were in the supine position, calm and awake. The recordings were processed using the APAS software. Selected points on the body were marked to obtain data for calculating the basic parameters of COM trajectories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The range of motion of the COM in both craniocaudal and anteroposterior directions was significantly greater in premature infants (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) than in full-term babies. The variability of motion of the COM was significantly greater in the craniocaudal (P < 0.01) and anteroposterior (P < 0.05) directions in preterm babies. This was also valid for the velocity of motion of the COM in the craniocaudal direction (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  3D videography can be used for experimental assessment of motor behavior in preterm infants. Basic kinematic characteristics of the motion of the COM (range, variability, velocity) are greater in preterm infants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology and Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Olomouc and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Halek
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Palacky University Olomouc.|Department of Natural Sciences in Kinanthropology, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky University Olomouc.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muckova
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Sciences in Kinanthropology, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky University Olomouc.
authors.forename: Zdenek
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Svoboda
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Sciences in Kinanthropology, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky University Olomouc.
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Janura
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Palacky University Olomouc.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marikova
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava.
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Horakova
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology and Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Olomouc and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Lumir
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kantor
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nemcova
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D014741:Video Recording
keywords: center of mass; kinematic analysis; newborn