Contribution of Spinal Segments to Control of Posture

描述（由申请人提供）：运动控制的主要挑战之一是了解中枢神经系统如何控制人体的自由度。躯干的姿势控制对所有其他运动任务都是必不可少的。这种基本的运动任务通常在9到10个月大的时候完成，那时婴儿能够独立坐着。从那个年龄开始，脊柱得到了很好的控制，因此在姿势控制研究中，将躯干视为一个部分是可以接受的。令人惊讶的是，人们对婴儿如何学会控制脊柱的多个部分知之甚少。在这项建议中，一种新的方法允许评估脊柱的有限部分，允许在独立坐姿发展之前测量直立姿势控制。我将对3个月至9个月大的婴儿进行纵向研究，评估脊柱控制的发展，并将该组的肌电图和运动学数据与无法实现独立坐位平衡的脑瘫儿童的数据进行比较。这些知识将使临床医生能够开发新的培训和评估方法以及新型的支持设备。该技术还将增强躯干运动控制研究的发展潜力。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): One of the major challenges of motor control is understanding how the central nervous system controls the degrees of freedom of the human body. Postural control of the trunk is essential for all other motor tasks. This foundational motor task is typically accomplished by 9 to 10 months of age when infants are able to sit independently. From that age on the spine is so well controlled that it is acceptable in posture control research to consider the trunk as one segment. Surprisingly little is known about how infants learn to control multiple segments of the spine. In this proposal, a novel approach allows evaluation of limited segments of the spine allowing measurement of upright postural control prior to the development of independent sitting. I will evaluate development of spinal control in a longitudinal study of infants from 3 months to 9 months of age and compare EMG and kinematic data from this group with data obtained from children with cerebral palsy who have been unable to achieve independent sitting balance. This knowledge will allow clinicians to develop new methods of training and evaluation and new types of supportive devices. The technique will also enhance the potential for research on development of motor control of the trunk.