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A Developmental Model of Human Locomotion

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Book cover Neurobiology of Vertebrate Locomotion

Part of the book series: Wenner-Gren Center International Symposium Series ((WGS))

Abstract

This report reviews features of the plantar gait pattern of the human adult and its progressive evolution through several steps of development, as revealed by analysis of: prenatal motor behaviors; infant stepping, which becomes manifest immediately after birth and is sustained for about two months; a subsequent inactive period which might last as long as 4 months; supported locomotion, which is present between six and twelve months of age; the transition to independent locomotion which takes place at about one year of age; and, the subsequent development of the adult plantigrade gait which evolves over several years.

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Authors
  1. Hans Forssberg
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology III, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

    Sten Grillner  & Hans Forssberg  & 

  2. Department of Biology, Washington University, St Louis, USA

    Paul S. G. Stein

  3. Department of Physiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA

    Douglas G. Stuart

  4. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Catholic Medical Center, Manchester, USA

    Richard M. Herman

Copyright information

© 1986 The Wenner-Gren Center

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Forssberg, H. (1986). A Developmental Model of Human Locomotion. In: Grillner, S., Stein, P.S.G., Stuart, D.G., Forssberg, H., Herman, R.M. (eds) Neurobiology of Vertebrate Locomotion. Wenner-Gren Center International Symposium Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-09148-5_30

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