Role of Activity in the Optimization of Neural and Non-Neural Systems in Infants.

Optimization of Neural and Non-neural Systems;Infant;Kinesiology and Sports;Health Sciences;Kinesiology

Lee, Do KyeongTeulier, Caroline ;

University of Michigan

关键词: Optimization of Neural and Non-neural Systems;    Infant;    Kinesiology and Sports;    Health Sciences;    Kinesiology;   

Others  :  https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/99861/doklee_1.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

瑞士|英语

来源: The Illinois Digital Environment for Access to Learning and Scholarship

【 摘 要 】

From basic neuroscience evidence and theoretical explanation of the development of neuromotor skill, we know that the emergence of behavior is a self-organized process that results from the cooperative tendencies of multiple, heterogeneous subsystems within contextual demands. Via sufficient repeated cycles of perceiving and acting, many intrinsic and extrinsic resources are intertwined to produce new behavior patterns eventually becoming stable, functional skills. This means that through exploration and experience, underlying factors can be strengthened to foster the functional foundation for neuromotor and non-neural areas. This foundation leads to a proactive view on neuromotor rehabilitation for the development of functional motor skills in infants with neurologic problems: suggesting ways to optimize residual recourses, to increase functionality, to maximize neuromotor control, and to minimize the cascading effects on other systems. Therefore, multilayered reciprocal interactions among underlying factors should be studied during the emergence and control of behavior longitudinally for populations with neuromotor difficulties. The overall goal of this dissertation was to design empirical studies to identify changes in underlying subsystems in response to motor activity and to address how rigorous practice affects the development and recovery of neuromotor function in infants. With this series of studies, we examined changes in subsystems at multiple levels: At the neural level, we tested the integrity of spinal-level reflexes and concurrent functional skills. At the non-neural level, we determined behavioral adaptations to upright activity practice and the impact of practice on bone mineral content. Our results showed improvements in neuromotor and non-neural areas via massive repetitions of specific activities in infants with Myelomeningocele as well as with typical development. But, each subsystem showed its own unique rate of change in response to the massive activity. Gradual changes emerged first at the behavioral level such as walking skill changes with toddler or stepping pattern changes with Myelomeningocele infants, followed by non-neural levels, such as bone mineral content, and then slowly at the neural level such as integrity of sensorimotor loops. The study results will help researchers to design better, assertive early intervention protocols for infants who have neuromotor disabilities.