Stepping over obstacles: anticipatory modifications in children with and without Down syndrome

Experimental Brain Research
N Virji-Babul, Michelle Brown

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism of anticipatory control of gait in relation to the perception of an obstacle. Typically developing (TD) children (4-7 years of age) and children with Down syndrome (5-6 years of age) walked and stepped over obstacles of two different heights-a "subtle" obstacle that was placed at a very low distance from the floor (1% of total body height) and an "obvious" obstacle that was placed at a much higher distance from the floor (15% of total body height). Spatial and temporal measures of the gait cycle were analyzed. TD children showed increased variability in pre-obstacle step lengths only in response to the higher obstacle. Children with DS showed a decrease in variability in response to the higher obstacle and marked qualitative changes in their gait cycle. Both groups of children were able to scale toe clearance with obstacle height. These results show that TD young children can make task-specific anticipatory adjustments by modulating step length and toe clearance. Children with DS show appropriate scaling of toe clearance and are beginning to show the emergence of anticipatory responses under specific environmental conditions.

References

Jul 1, 1981·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines·S E HendersonU Frith

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 27, 2013·Experimental Brain Research·Sara Laura VimercatiGiorgio Albertini
May 6, 2010·American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities·Naznin Virji-BabulUrs Ribary
May 6, 2014·Research in Developmental Disabilities·Firooz SalamiManuela Galli
Nov 13, 2012·Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology : Official Journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology·Sara Laura VimercatiGiorgio Albertini
Oct 25, 2011·Research in Developmental Disabilities·Lotte EnkelaarVivian Weerdesteyn
Mar 23, 2011·Research in Developmental Disabilities·R L Carvalho, G L Almeida
Dec 1, 2015·Research in Developmental Disabilities·Hao-Ling ChenHsiu-Chen Yeh
Nov 10, 2007·Journal of Intellectual Disability Research : JIDR·N Virji-BabulD Cheyne
Apr 30, 2014·Journal of Intellectual Disability Research : JIDR·S L VimercatiG Albertini
Jun 28, 2011·Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport·Genna M MulveyBeverly D Ulrich
Aug 22, 2013·Research in Developmental Disabilities·M HorvatM C Barna
Sep 3, 2016·Research in Developmental Disabilities·Matheus Machado GomesJosé Angelo Barela
Feb 1, 2017·Somatosensory & Motor Research·Andrea De Giorgio
Jul 28, 2017·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Jean René CazaletsDidier Lacombe
Feb 27, 2017·Experimental Brain Research·Pratiksha Tilak RaoJohn Michael Solomon
Mar 17, 2021·Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities : JARID·Ghada JouiraSonia Sahli
Jul 9, 2021·Journal of Motor Behavior·Manasa Kolibylu RaghupathySuruliraj Karthikbabu

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.