KNSS 307 ( development of human locomotions
what is locomotion
Moving from place to place
Moving on one, two, or four limbs
Crawling, walking, running
Hopping, skipping, galloping, using other modes
early locomotion
Crawling (“commando crawl”): moving on hands and abdomen
Creeping: moving on hands and knees
Other forms of early locomotion
walking
Walking is the first form of upright, bipedal locomotion.
Walking is defined by the following:
50% phasing between the legs (Clark, Whitall, & Phillips, 1988)
Period of double support (both feet on the ground) followed by
period of single support
- Affordances learned for crawling must be learned for walking.
early walking
- Stability and balance are maximized over mobility.
- Arms are in high guard.
- Feet are out-toed and spread wide apart.
- Independent steps are taken.
- Rate controllers are strength (to support body on one leg) and balance.
changes in youth early childhood
By age 4, essential components of an advanced walk are
present.
Support time on the stance leg lengthens.
Velocity increases.
changes in youth midadolescence
Stride length increases with fuller range of motion and growing
legs.
Pattern improvements are subtle.
changes in older adulthood
Stability is maximized.
Out-toeing increases.
Stride length decreases.
Pelvic rotation decreases.
Speed decreases.
Objects are used as balance aids.
Rate limiter in later walking
Any of the changes associated with the aging process
can act as rate controllers.
Most obviously, changes in structural constraints can
influence walking.
running
Occurs 6 to 7 months after walking starts.
Running is defined by the following:
50% phasing between the legs
Flight phase followed by single support
running development
Early running
As children grow, qualitative changes in running patterns, combined with physical growth and
maturation, generally result in improved quantitative measures of running.
Later running
Patterns help increase stability and balance.
Decreases appear in the following:
Stride length and number of strides
Range of motion
Speed
Rate controllers are balance and strength.
Exercise can allow seniors to run for years!
Rate limiter in later running
Running requires greater generation of force and
ability to balance.
Smaller changes in constraints can affect later
running.
An individual may have the ability to run but may not
have the opportunity to do so or chooses not to.
jumping hoping, leaping
Jump: Person propels self off ground with one or two
feet; lands on two feet.
Hop: Person propels self off ground with one foot;
lands on same foot.
Leap: Person propels self off ground with one foot,
extends flight period, and lands on opposite foot.