Development of Postural Control - Postural Progressions

Question 1

What type of movements in early motor behavior give way to more complex, purposeful movement patterns?

Answer 1

Spontaneous and reflexive movements

Question 2

Define motor milestones

Answer 2

The fundamental motor skills through which attainment of one is associated w/ acquisition of later voluntary movements

Question 3

True/False: Motor milestones follow a rigid timeline

Answer 3

False (general range as the child ages)

Question 4

Each new posture requires what (in regards to the preceding posture)?

Answer 4

Balance in the preceding posture (to attain next milestone)

Question 5

True/False: Each new position relies on the position before it

Answer 5

True

Question 6

What are the major milestones in motor development?

Answer 6

Head control (prone and supine)
Rolling
Sitting
Creeping/Crawling
Standing
Walking

Question 7

Define crawling in infants

Answer 7

Belly or “army” crawl

Question 8

Define creeping in infants

Answer 8

Quadruped crawling (typical pattern/presentation)

Question 9

What are some examples of standing progressions in infants?

Answer 9

Pull to stand
Cruising
Independent standing

Question 10

Prone progressions - Neonate

Answer 10

Prone lying (includes increase flexor tone and head turned to one side)

Question 11

Prone progressions: 0-2 mo.

Answer 11

Hip flexion decreases (lessens contractures; leads to flat lying)

Question 12

Prone progressions: 2-4 mo.

Answer 12

Achieves prone on elbows (must stabilize pelvis by contracting abdominal muscles)
Head lifting gradually increases (antigravity extensor control progresses)

Question 13

When does an infant actively begin lifting their head?

Answer 13

2 mo.

Question 14

By 3 mo., how many degrees should an infant be able to life their head?

Answer 14

45 degrees

Question 15

By 4 mo., how many degrees should an infant be able to lift their head?

Answer 15

90 degrees

Question 16

Increasing antigravity extensor control to actively life their head allows an infant to do what?

Answer 16

Weightbearing through UEs (progress to reaching and weight shifting)

Question 17

What is a key behavior in an infant around 4-6 mo. of age?

Answer 17

Prone on elbows

Question 18

Prone on elbows creates a balance between which two muscle groups?

Answer 18

Balance of cervical flexors and extensors

Question 19

True/False: Infants start weight shifting side to side around 4 mo. of age

Answer 19

True (to allow for reaching and exploration)

Question 20

Prone progressions: 6-10 mo.

Answer 20

Includes crawling, creeping, and plantigrade creeping

Question 21

The initial stages of crawling are seen around how many months?

Answer 21

3 mo. (once able to support themselves on UEs)

Question 22

True/False: Infants tend to crawl backwards first

Answer 22

True (prone extension/pivoting progressions)

Question 23

How long do infants typically belly crawl?

Answer 23

3-8 mo.

Question 24

At 6-8 mo., what movement is important to develop prior to attempting a “creeping” movement pattern?

Answer 24

Quadruped rocking

Question 25

With quadruped rocking, is the infant actively moving?

Answer 25

No (not advancing limbs; dissociating pelvis; contracting abdominals)

Question 26

True/False: Creeping involves the infant being on their hands and knees w/ their trunk elevated from the surface

Answer 26

True

Question 27

Plantigrade creeping is a progression from typical creeping in preparation for what new position?

Answer 27

Walking (more standing position)

Question 28

True/False: By 8-10 mo., infants spend less time in prone and supine positions

Answer 28

True

Question 29

Supine progressions: 0-2 mo.

Answer 29

Supine lying (lateral head position due to lack of co-contraction to midline) Pull to sit (head lag is common due to inability to co-contract)

Question 30

True/False: Head lag may appear minimized for 1st month due to physiologic flexion

Answer 30

True

Question 31

Supine progressions: 2-4 mo.

Answer 31

Supine lying (ability to move against gravity; arms more toward midline; reaching) Pull to sit (at beginning of lift, head is midline)

Question 32

While in supine, co-contraction is evident by what month?

Answer 32

4 mo.

Question 33

What is the key behavior at 2-4 mo. in supine?

Answer 33

Unfixed supine reaching (shifting to reaching for something)

Question 34

Supine progressions: 4-6 mo.

Answer 34

Supine lying (develop body scheme via feet to mouth or hands to mouth; tonic holding; continue reaching) Pull to sit (UE begins to assist; active neck flexion)

Question 35

What is the purpose of developing a body scheme in infants?

Answer 35

Explore (develop blueprint of body and body parts)

Question 36

Reciprocal bridging in infants develops due to what?

Answer 36

Tonic holding

Question 37

True/False: Tonic holding in the supine position assists w/ active neck flexion during a pull to sit

Answer 37

True

Question 38

What is the earliest form of rolling called and when does it occur?

Answer 38

Accidental rolling (8 wks./2-3 mo.)

Question 39

True/False: Accidental rolling usually occurs supine to prone before prone to supine

Answer 39

False

Question 40

When is intentional rolling well established?

Answer 40

3-4 mo.

Question 41

What is the initial form of rolling with reference to a nonsegmental pattern?

Answer 41

Log roll (moves as single unit; rigid; no separation between body segments)

Question 42

How many months are infants rolling in a nonsegmental pattern?

Answer 42

0-6 mo.

Question 43

When does an infant start rolling in a segmental pattern?

Answer 43

6 mo. (coordinated; different body segments move one right after the other)

Question 44

Sitting progressions: 0-4 mo.

Answer 44

Requires support in sacral sitting (unable to maintain control) Focus on developing head control

Question 45

What curve is present in the trunk (sitting progressions 0-4 mo.)?

Answer 45

C-curve

Question 46

What type of sitting is seen in infants around 5 mo.?

Answer 46

Propped sitting (arms are forward and contacting the ground)

Question 47

True/False: Infants can handle perturbations while in propped sitting

Answer 47

False

Question 48

Sitting progresses towards independence at how many months?

Answer 48

6 mo. (control through hips; moderate amounts of sway)

Question 49

Sitting progressions: 6-8 mo.

Answer 49

Transitional movements are seen (sitting; rolling; prone)

Question 50

What is the significance of transitional movements in infants?

Answer 50

Develops motor control, coordination, balance, and strength (better problem-solving abilities)

Question 51

What are the variations in sitting postures infants display?

Answer 51

Ring sit Half ring sit Long sit Side sit

Question 52

Sitting progressions: 8-10 mo.

Answer 52

Develops backward protective extension (better recovery)

Question 53

Standing progressions: 4-6 mo.

Answer 53

Supported standing (stiffer; begin to partially weight bear)

Question 54

True/False: Supported standing is not reflexive in an infant and develops adequate balance control

Answer 54

False

Question 55

At how many months of age does it take for head and trunk control to develop?

Answer 55

5 mo.

Question 56

Standing progressions: 6-8 mo.

Answer 56

Full voluntarily weight bearing through LE (no weight shift) Increased BOS Feet and hips are ER

Question 57

At 6-8 mo., pull to stand is primarily facilitated by what?

Answer 57

UE strength and control

Question 58

At 6-8 mo., can an infant voluntarily lower themselves to the ground after a pull to stand?

Answer 58

No (lack eccentric control)

Question 59

Sitting progressions: 8-10 mo.

Answer 59

Increased use of LE (legs are getting stronger; better eccentric control)

Question 60

When would an infant initiate cruising?

Answer 60

8-10 mo. (pull to stand)

Question 61

When is independent standing achieved?

Answer 61

10-12 mo. (maybe even 13 mo.)