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Cappellini G, Sylos-Labini F, Avaltroni P, Dewolf AH, Assenza C, Morelli D, Lacquaniti F, Ivanenko Y. Comparison of the forward and sideways locomotor patterns in children with Cerebral Palsy. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7286. [PMID: 37142631 PMCID: PMC10160037 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34369-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Switching locomotion direction is a common task in daily life, and it has been studied extensively in healthy people. Little is known, however, about the locomotor adjustments involved in changing locomotion direction from forward (FW) to sideways (SW) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The importance of testing the ability of children with CP in this task lies in the assessment of flexible, adaptable adjustments of locomotion as a function of the environmental context. On the one hand, the ability of a child to cope with novel task requirements may provide prognostic cues as to the chances of modifying the gait adaptively. On the other hand, challenging the child with the novel task may represent a useful rehabilitation tool to improve the locomotor performance. SW is an asymmetrical locomotor task and requires a differential control of right and left limb muscles. Here, we report the results of a cross-sectional study comparing FW and SW in 27 children with CP (17 diplegic, 10 hemiplegic, 2-10 years) and 18 age-matched typically developing (TD) children. We analyzed gait kinematics, joint moments, EMG activity of 12 pairs of bilateral muscles, and muscle modules evaluated by factorization of EMG signals. Task performance in several children with CP differed drastically from that of TD children. Only 2/3 of children with CP met the primary outcome, i.e. they succeeded to step sideways, and they often demonstrated attempts to step forward. They tended to rotate their trunk FW, cross one leg over the other, flex the knee and hip. Moreover, in contrast to TD children, children with CP often exhibited similar motor modules for FW and SW. Overall, the results reflect developmental deficits in the control of gait, bilateral coordination and adjustment of basic motor modules in children with CP. We suggest that the sideways (along with the backward) style of locomotion represents a novel rehabilitation protocol that challenges the child to cope with novel contextual requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germana Cappellini
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Santa Lucia, 306 Via Ardeatina, 00179, Rome, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine and Center of Space Biomedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Sylos-Labini
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Santa Lucia, 306 Via Ardeatina, 00179, Rome, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine and Center of Space Biomedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Priscilla Avaltroni
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Santa Lucia, 306 Via Ardeatina, 00179, Rome, Italy
| | - Arthur H Dewolf
- Department of Systems Medicine and Center of Space Biomedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Assenza
- Department of Pediatric Neurorehabilitation, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Morelli
- Department of Pediatric Neurorehabilitation, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Lacquaniti
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Santa Lucia, 306 Via Ardeatina, 00179, Rome, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine and Center of Space Biomedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Yury Ivanenko
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Santa Lucia, 306 Via Ardeatina, 00179, Rome, Italy.
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Dewolf AH, Sylos Labini F, Ivanenko Y, Lacquaniti F. Development of Locomotor-Related Movements in Early Infancy. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 14:623759. [PMID: 33551751 PMCID: PMC7858268 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.623759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
This mini-review focuses on the emergence of locomotor-related movements in early infancy. In particular, we consider multiples precursor behaviors of locomotion as a manifestation of the development of the neuronal networks and their link in the establishment of precocious locomotor skills. Despite the large variability of motor behavior observed in human babies, as in animals, afferent information is already processed to shape the behavior to specific situations and environments. Specifically, we argue that the closed-loop interaction between the neural output and the physical dynamics of the mechanical system should be considered to explore the complexity and flexibility of pattern generation in human and animal neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur H Dewolf
- Department of Systems Medicine, Center of Space Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Yury Ivanenko
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Lacquaniti
- Department of Systems Medicine, Center of Space Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Cappellini G, Sylos-Labini F, Dewolf AH, Solopova IA, Morelli D, Lacquaniti F, Ivanenko Y. Maturation of the Locomotor Circuitry in Children With Cerebral Palsy. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:998. [PMID: 32974319 PMCID: PMC7462003 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The first years of life represent an important phase of maturation of the central nervous system, processing of sensory information, posture control and acquisition of the locomotor function. Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common group of motor disorders in childhood attributed to disturbances in the fetal or infant brain, frequently resulting in impaired gait. Here we will consider various findings about functional maturation of the locomotor output in early infancy, and how much the dysfunction of gait in children with CP can be related to spinal neuronal networks vs. supraspinal dysfunction. A better knowledge about pattern generation circuitries in infancy may improve our understanding of developmental motor disorders, highlighting the necessity for regulating the functional properties of abnormally developed neuronal locomotor networks as a target for early sensorimotor rehabilitation. Various clinical approaches and advances in biotechnology are also considered that might promote acquisition of the locomotor function in infants at risk for locomotor delays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germana Cappellini
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Department of Pediatric Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Arthur H Dewolf
- Centre of Space Bio-medicine and Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Irina A Solopova
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Motor Control, Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Moscow, Russia
| | - Daniela Morelli
- Department of Pediatric Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Lacquaniti
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Centre of Space Bio-medicine and Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Yury Ivanenko
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Cappellini G, Sylos-Labini F, MacLellan MJ, Assenza C, Libernini L, Morelli D, Lacquaniti F, Ivanenko Y. Locomotor patterns during obstacle avoidance in children with cerebral palsy. J Neurophysiol 2020; 124:574-590. [DOI: 10.1152/jn.00163.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies mainly evaluated the neuromuscular pattern generation in cerebral palsy (CP) during unobstructed gait. Here we characterized impairments in the obstacle task performance associated with a limited adaptation of the task-relevant muscle module timed to the foot lift during obstacle crossing. Impaired task performance in children with CP may reflect basic developmental deficits in the adaptable control of gait when the locomotor task is superimposed with the voluntary movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Cappellini
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS) Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Pediatric Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - F. Sylos-Labini
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS) Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - M. J. MacLellan
- Department of Applied Human Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
| | - C. Assenza
- Department of Pediatric Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - L. Libernini
- Department of Pediatric Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - D. Morelli
- Department of Pediatric Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - F. Lacquaniti
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS) Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Centre of Space Bio-medicine and Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Y. Ivanenko
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS) Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Dewolf AH, Sylos-Labini F, Cappellini G, Lacquaniti F, Ivanenko Y. Emergence of Different Gaits in Infancy: Relationship Between Developing Neural Circuitries and Changing Biomechanics. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:473. [PMID: 32509753 PMCID: PMC7248179 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
How does gait-specific pattern generation evolve in early infancy? The idea that neural and biomechanical mechanisms underlying mature walking and running differ to some extent and involve distinct spinal and supraspinal neural circuits is supported by various studies. Here we consider the issue of human gaits from the developmental point of view, from neonate stepping to adult mature gaits. While differentiating features of the walk and run are clearly distinct in adults, the gradual and progressive developmental bifurcation between the different gaits suggests considerable sharing of circuitry. Gaits development and their biomechanical determinants also depend on maturation of the musculoskeletal system. This review outlines the possible overlap in the neural and biomechanical control of walking and running in infancy, supporting the idea that gaits may be built starting from common, likely phylogenetically conserved elements. Bridging connections between movement mechanics and neural control of locomotion could have profound clinical implications for technological solutions to understand better locomotor development and to diagnose early motor deficits. We also consider the neuromuscular maturation time frame of gaits resulting from active practice of locomotion, underlying plasticity of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Henri Dewolf
- Department of Systems Medicine and Center of Space Biomedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Germana Cappellini
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Department of Pediatric Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Lacquaniti
- Department of Systems Medicine and Center of Space Biomedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Yury Ivanenko
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Solopova IA, Zhvansky DS, Dolinskaya IY, Keshishian ES, Selionov VA, Sylos-Labini F, Lacquaniti F, Ivanenko Y. Muscle Responses to Passive Joint Movements in Infants During the First Year of Life. Front Physiol 2019; 10:1158. [PMID: 31607940 PMCID: PMC6769424 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscle tone represents one of the important concepts for characterizing changes in the state of the developing nervous system. It can be manifested in the level of activity of flexors and extensors and in muscle reactions to its passive stretching (StR) or shortening (ShR). Here we investigated such reactions in a cohort of healthy infants aged from 2 weeks to 12 months. We examined the presence and the characteristics of StR and ShR during slow passive cyclic flexion/extension movements (T~3 s) in the hip, knee, ankle, and elbow joints while awake infants were in the supine position. The results showed that most infants demonstrated prominent ShRs in response to passive joint rotations, although the StR was observed more frequently, suggesting that the ShR is an important component of adaptive motor behavior already at an early developmental stage. Interestingly, the occurrence of both StR and ShR in most muscles significantly decreased throughout the first year of life. Passive cyclic flexion/extension movements could also evoke rhythmic muscle responses in other joints or in the contralateral limb, however, such responses were predominantly observed in younger infants (<6 months). A noticeable manifestation of muscle reactions at an early developmental stage, along with spontaneous motor activity in this period of life, may reflect the processes underlying a formation of appropriate muscle tone and the self-organization of neural circuits. A substantial reduction of ipsilateral and contralateral muscle responses to passive movements with age is consistent with the idea of a functional reorganization of the motor circuitry during early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina A Solopova
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Motor Control, Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry S Zhvansky
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Motor Control, Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina Y Dolinskaya
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Motor Control, Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena S Keshishian
- Moscow Research Institute of Clinical Pediatrics of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Victor A Selionov
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Motor Control, Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Moscow, Russia
| | - Francesca Sylos-Labini
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine and Center of Space Biomedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Lacquaniti
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine and Center of Space Biomedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Yury Ivanenko
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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Kuiper MJ, Brandsma R, Lunsing RJ, Eggink H, ter Horst HJ, Bos AF, Sival DA. The neurological phenotype of developmental motor patterns during early childhood. Brain Behav 2019; 9:e01153. [PMID: 30485703 PMCID: PMC6346655 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION During early childhood, typical human motor behavior reveals a gradual transition from automatic motor patterns to acquired motor skills, by the continuous interplay between nature and nurture. During the wiring and shaping of the underlying motor networks, insight into the neurological phenotype of developmental motor patterns is incomplete. In healthy, typically developing children (0-3 years of age), we therefore aimed to investigate the neurological phenotype of developmental motor patterns. METHODS In 32 healthy, typically developing children (0-3 years), we video-recorded spontaneous motor behavior, general movements (GMs), and standardized motor tasks. We classified the motor patterns by: (a) the traditional neurodevelopmental approach, by Gestalt perception and (b) the classical neurological approach, by the clinical phenotypic determination of movement disorder features. We associated outcomes by Cramer's V. RESULTS Developmental motor patterns revealed (a) choreatic-like features (≤3 months; associated with fidgety GMs (r = 0.732) and startles (r = 0.687)), (b) myoclonic-like features (≤3 months; associated with fidgety GMs (r = 0.878) and startles (r = 0.808)), (c) dystonic-like features (0-3 years; associated with asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (r = 0.641) and voluntary movements (r = 0.517)), and (d) ataxic-like features (>3 months; associated with voluntary movements (r = 0.928)). CONCLUSIONS In healthy infants and toddlers (0-3 years), typical developmental motor patterns reveal choreatic-, myoclonic-, dystonic- and ataxic-like features. The transient character of these neurological phenotypes is placed in perspective of the physiological shaping of the underlying motor centers. Neurological phenotypic insight into developmental motor patterns can contribute to adequate discrimination between ontogenetic and initiating pathological movement features and to adequate interpretation of therapeutic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke J. Kuiper
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Medical Center Groningen, University of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Rick Brandsma
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Medical Center Groningen, University of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Roelineke J. Lunsing
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Medical Center Groningen, University of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Hendriekje Eggink
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Medical Center Groningen, University of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Hendrik J. ter Horst
- Department of Neonatology, Beatrix Children’s HospitalUniversity Medical Center Groningen, University of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Arend F. Bos
- Department of Neonatology, Beatrix Children’s HospitalUniversity Medical Center Groningen, University of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Deborah A. Sival
- Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children’s HospitalUniversity Medical Center GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
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Yusainy C, Chan DKC, Hikmiah Z, Anggono CO. Physical activity in Indonesian University students: the contradictory roles of dispositional mindfulness and self-control. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2018; 24:446-455. [PMID: 30428697 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2018.1546015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Physical inactivity is now identified as one of the major risk factors for global mortality, including in Indonesia. Past research in Western settings have demonstrated the efficacy of self-determined or autonomous forms of motivation in predicting health-related behaviours, and that association between these variables could possibly be moderated by individual differences in mindfulness. In terms of mindfulness, individuals from different cultures may vary in their familiarity and acceptance of mindfulness in daily life. Moreover, the ways though which individuals exhibit qualities of mindfulness are often intertwined with their capacity for self-control. In this correlational study utilizing cloud-based online survey, samples of Indonesian undergraduates (N = 411, mean age = 20.202, SD = 1.406) completed self-report measures of trait mindfulness, trait self-control, autonomous motivation, and physical activity. Bootstrap multiple regression analysis indicated that association between autonomous motivation and physical activity is strengthened by trait self-control (p = .017), but conversely, weakened by trait mindfulness (p = .024). Cultural perspective may help explain the dynamics of mindfulness, self-control, autonomous motivation, and physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cleoputri Yusainy
- a Psychology Department, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences , Universitas Brawijaya , Malang , Indonesia
| | - Derwin King Chung Chan
- b School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong.,c School of Psychology , Curtin University , Perth , Australia
| | - Ziadatul Hikmiah
- a Psychology Department, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences , Universitas Brawijaya , Malang , Indonesia
| | - Calvin Octavianus Anggono
- a Psychology Department, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences , Universitas Brawijaya , Malang , Indonesia
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9
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Early manifestation of arm–leg coordination during stepping on a surface in human neonates. Exp Brain Res 2018; 236:1105-1115. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-018-5201-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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10
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Sylos-Labini F, Magnani S, Cappellini G, La Scaleia V, Fabiano A, Picone S, Paolillo P, Di Paolo A, Lacquaniti F, Ivanenko Y. Foot Placement Characteristics and Plantar Pressure Distribution Patterns during Stepping on Ground in Neonates. Front Physiol 2017; 8:784. [PMID: 29066982 PMCID: PMC5641324 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stepping on ground can be evoked in human neonates, though it is rather irregular and stereotyped heel-to-toe roll-over pattern is lacking. Such investigations can provide insights into the role of contact- or load-related proprioceptive feedback during early development of locomotion. However, the detailed characteristics of foot placements and their association with motor patterns are still incompletely documented. We elicited stepping in 33 neonates supported on a table. Unilateral limb kinematics, bilateral plantar pressure distribution and EMG activity from up to 11 ipsilateral leg muscles were recorded. Foot placement characteristics in neonates showed a wide variation. In ~25% of steps, the swinging foot stepped onto the contralateral foot due to generally small step width. In the remaining steps with separate foot placements, the stance phase could start with forefoot (28%), midfoot (47%), or heel (25%) touchdowns. Despite forefoot or heel initial contacts, the kinematic and loading patterns markedly differed relatively to toe-walking or adult-like two-peaked vertical force profile. Furthermore, while the general stepping parameters (cycle duration, step length, range of motion of proximal joints) were similar, the initial foot contact was consistently associated with specific center-of-pressure excursion, range of motion in the ankle joint, and the center-of-activity of extensor muscles (being shifted by ~5% of cycle toward the end of stance in the "heel" relative to "forefoot" condition). In sum, we found a variety of footfall patterns in conjunction with associated changes in motor patterns. These findings suggest the potential contribution of load-related proprioceptive feedback and/or the expression of variations in the locomotor program already during early manifestations of stepping on ground in human babies.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Sylos-Labini
- Center of Space BioMedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,Neuromotor Physiology Laboratory, Fondazione Santa Lucia (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - S Magnani
- Department of Computer, Control and Management Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - G Cappellini
- Center of Space BioMedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,Neuromotor Physiology Laboratory, Fondazione Santa Lucia (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - V La Scaleia
- Center of Space BioMedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,Neuromotor Physiology Laboratory, Fondazione Santa Lucia (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - A Fabiano
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Casilino Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - S Picone
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Casilino Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - P Paolillo
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Casilino Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - A Di Paolo
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Ospedale San Giovanni, Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - F Lacquaniti
- Center of Space BioMedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,Neuromotor Physiology Laboratory, Fondazione Santa Lucia (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Y Ivanenko
- Neuromotor Physiology Laboratory, Fondazione Santa Lucia (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
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11
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Cappellini G, Ivanenko YP, Martino G, MacLellan MJ, Sacco A, Morelli D, Lacquaniti F. Immature Spinal Locomotor Output in Children with Cerebral Palsy. Front Physiol 2016; 7:478. [PMID: 27826251 PMCID: PMC5078720 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Detailed descriptions of gait impairments have been reported in cerebral palsy (CP), but it is still unclear how maturation of the spinal motoneuron output is affected. Spatiotemporal alpha-motoneuron activation during walking can be assessed by mapping the electromyographic activity profiles from several, simultaneously recorded muscles onto the anatomical rostrocaudal location of the motoneuron pools in the spinal cord, and by means of factor analysis of the muscle activity profiles. Here, we analyzed gait kinematics and EMG activity of 11 pairs of bilateral muscles with lumbosacral innervation in 35 children with CP (19 diplegic, 16 hemiplegic, 2-12 years) and 33 typically developing (TD) children (1-12 years). TD children showed a progressive reduction of EMG burst durations and a gradual reorganization of the spatiotemporal motoneuron output with increasing age. By contrast, children with CP showed very limited age-related changes of EMG durations and motoneuron output, as well as of limb intersegmental coordination and foot trajectory control (on both sides for diplegic children and the affected side for hemiplegic children). Factorization of the EMG signals revealed a comparable structure of the motor output in children with CP and TD children, but significantly wider temporal activation patterns in children with CP, resembling the patterns of much younger TD infants. A similar picture emerged when considering the spatiotemporal maps of alpha-motoneuron activation. Overall, the results are consistent with the idea that early injuries to developing motor regions of the brain substantially affect the maturation of the spinal locomotor output and consequently the future locomotor behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germana Cappellini
- Centre of Space Bio-medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata Rome, Italy
| | - Yury P Ivanenko
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Santa Lucia Foundation Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martino
- Centre of Space Bio-medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata Rome, Italy
| | | | - Annalisa Sacco
- Department of Pediatric Neurorehabilitation, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Santa Lucia Foundation Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Morelli
- Department of Pediatric Neurorehabilitation, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Santa Lucia Foundation Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Lacquaniti
- Centre of Space Bio-medicine, University of Rome Tor VergataRome, Italy; Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Santa Lucia FoundationRome, Italy; Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor VergataRome, Italy
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12
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Vasudevan EV, Patrick SK, Yang JF. Gait Transitions in Human Infants: Coping with Extremes of Treadmill Speed. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148124. [PMID: 26828941 PMCID: PMC4734668 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal pattern generators in quadrupedal animals can coordinate different forms of locomotion, like trotting or galloping, by altering coordination between the limbs (interlimb coordination). In the human system, infants have been used to study the subcortical control of gait, since the cerebral cortex and corticospinal tract are immature early in life. Like other animals, human infants can modify interlimb coordination to jump or step. Do human infants possess functional neuronal circuitry necessary to modify coordination within a limb (intralimb coordination) in order to generate distinct forms of alternating bipedal gait, such as walking and running? We monitored twenty-eight infants (7–12 months) stepping on a treadmill at speeds ranging between 0.06–2.36 m/s, and seventeen adults (22–47 years) walking or running at speeds spanning the walk-to-run transition. Six of the adults were tested with body weight support to mimic the conditions of infant stepping. We found that infants could accommodate a wide range of speeds by altering stride length and frequency, similar to adults. Moreover, as the treadmill speed increased, we observed periods of flight during which neither foot was in ground contact in infants and in adults. However, while adults modified other aspects of intralimb coordination and the mechanics of progression to transition to a running gait, infants did not make comparable changes. The lack of evidence for distinct walking and running patterns in infants suggests that the expression of different functional, alternating gait patterns in humans may require neuromuscular maturation and a period of learning post-independent walking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin V. Vasudevan
- Rehabilitation Research and Movement Performance (RRAMP) Lab, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Health Technology and Management, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Susan K. Patrick
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jaynie F. Yang
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Kleven GA, Bellinger SA. Developmental pathways of motor dysfunction. Dev Psychobiol 2015; 57:435-46. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.21304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gale A. Kleven
- Department of Psychology; Wright State University; Dayton OH 45435
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Robinson SR. Spinal mediation of motor learning and memory in the rat fetus. Dev Psychobiol 2015; 57:421-34. [PMID: 25735558 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Accepted: 12/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Fetal rats can alter patterns of interlimb coordination after experience with a yoke that links two legs together. Yoke training results in a pronounced increase in conjugate limb movements (CLM). To determine whether yoke motor learning is mediated by spinal cord circuitry, fetal subjects at embryonic Day 20 (E20) received yoke training after mid-thoracic spinal cord transection or sham surgery. Both spinal and sham-treated fetuses exhibited an increase in CLM during training. In a second experiment, fetuses received initial yoke training, then were transected or sham treated before a 2nd training. Spinal and sham fetuses that were yoked during both training sessions exhibited a more rapid rise in CLM than those yoked only in the later session. These findings indicate that motor learning in fetal rats can be supported by spinal cord circuitry alone, and that savings implies a form of motor memory localized in the spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott R Robinson
- Pacific Ethological Laboratories, Olympia, WA, 98501; Delta Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242
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