DYNAMICAL FACTORS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MOTOR SKILLS

这项研究计划的总体目标是了解收购 of motor运动skills技能in infantity婴儿. 拟议的研究是由一个动态的 系统视角。 因此，研究策略是双重的：（1） 详细描述了在达到和 步行及其多个相互作用的子系统，以及（2）识别和 实验性地操纵对出现 新的行为形式。 具体目标一是完成对 纵向数据的运动学，动力学，和肌肉模式， 从第3 - 52周每周从4名婴儿中收集婴儿。 这 将描述从自发到目标导向的过渡， 准确性、速度和平滑性的提高，以及 动态节段力和肌肉模式，这些变化的基础。 具体目标2是对6岁以下的婴儿进行纵向研究， 追踪运动学、动力学和肌电图 跑步机步骤的特征，支持步骤，和独立 走路 这项研究将描述发展的转变， 婴儿站立、负重时行走的神经肌肉前体， 独立前进。 具体目标3是进行实验， 踢腿和伸手的动作会受到轻微的拉力的干扰， 模拟自然发生的内部和外部力环境。 这项研究调查了婴儿如何检测和调整他们的肌肉， 本体感受输入 具体目标4是一系列的实验 研究婴儿如何获得新的运动形式。 婴儿将接受训练 使用双边踢激活移动的，和条件和 促进学习和记忆的新模式 协调将被操纵。 这些研究对（1） 阐明基本的发展过程;（2）了解基本的 运动协调和控制机制;（3）对临床的影响 实践，特别是对儿童的物理和职业治疗。

The overall goal of this research program is to understand the acquisition of motor skills in infancy. The proposed studies are informed by a dynamic systems perspective. Thus, the research strategy is twofold: (1) to provide a detailed description of the developmental changes in reaching and walking and their multiple interacting subsystems, and (2) to identify and experimentally manipulate agents and processes critical to the emergence of new behavioral forms. Specific aim I is to complete the analysis of longitudinal data on the kinematics, kinetics, and muscle patterns of infant reaching, collected weekly from 4 infants from weeks 3 - 52. This will describe the transition from spontaneous to goal-directed reaching, the improvements in the accuracy, speed and smoothness in reaching, and the dynamic segmental forces and muscle patterns that underlie these changes. Specific aim 2 is to conduct a longitudinal study of infants between 6 months and 18 months to trace the kinematic, kinetic and EMG characteristics of treadmill steps, supported steps, and independent walking. This study will describe the developmental transition in the neuromuscular precursors of walking when infants stand, bear weight, and move forward independently. Specific aim 3 is to conduct experiments where kicking and reaching movements are perturbed by a slight tug, which simulates the naturally occurring internal and external force environment. This study investigates how infants detect and adjust their muscles to proprioceptive input. Specific aim 4 is a series of experiments investigating how infants acquire new motor forms. Infants will be trained to use bilateral kicks to activate a mobile, and the conditions and contexts that facilitate learning and remembering the new pattern of coordination will be manipulated. These studies are important to (1) illuminate basic developmental processes; (2) understand fundamental mechanisms of motor coordination and control; and (3) impact on clinical practice, especially physical and occupational therapy with children.