Many studies have demonstrated that the seated position is more effective in promoting reaching movements when compared with supine. The aim of this longitudinal study was to verify the effect of seated and supine positions on spatio-temporal parameters of reaching in 4-6-month-old infants. Four infants were observed during reaching trials in both positions. A total of 235 reaches were analyzed by using the 3D movement reconstruction. Our results showed that frequency of reaching and straightness index increased over age. Significant differences between the positions were observed at 4 months, when the frequency increased and the duration and deceleration time decreased in the seated position. There were no significant differences at 5 and 6 months. These findings suggest that young infants are able to change kinematical parameters of reaching to adapt themselves to intrinsic and extrinsic constraints (i.e. age and position).

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Background: Kinematic analysis is a method for quantitative assessment applied in different fi elds of study. In the fi eld of motor development, this analysis may promote better understanding of the acquisition and development of motor skills. Objective: To develop and compare two experimental setups for kinematic analysis of head movements relating to eye-head coordination (EHC) in infants. Methods: Two experimental setups (A and B) were tested. They differed from each other regarding the numbers and locations of the cameras, and regarding the volume of the calibration system. Results: The accuracy of the two experimental setups was 2.47mm, thus indicating that both can provide realistic reconstructions of the movement. The three cameras used in setup B made it possible to view the full range of motion with at least one of the cameras. This led to improvement of the qualitative analysis and reduction of the time taken to process quantitative data, which was 33% shorter than seen with setup A. In addition, setup B presented a better cost-benefi t relationship. Conclusions: Although both setups were adequate for kinematic analysis of head movements relating to EHC in infants, setup B is more advantageous. The methodology for setup B can be used in studies investigating head movements in either typical or atypical infants. The results from such studies could be used to complement assessments on at-risk infants and consequently could assist in implementing early interventions.

Exercise seems to attenuate the postural control system and anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) decline, but no conclusive findings are available. This study analyzes, in elderly people, the exercise effect in APAs during the raising of a load with both arms in the sagittal plane. Twenty eight males over the age of 60 (65.8 +/- 4.07 yr old)-9 veterans in exercising, 9 who exercise recently, and 10 sedentary-were asked to raise a load with both arms simultaneously to shoulder level, in standing position, as fast as possible. The electromyography (EMG) pattern of the main muscles was studied. The APAs were quantified through the time integral of EMG records (iEMG). Anticipatory changes in the postural muscles were seen in all groups. We observed, in the tibialis anterior activity, a higher significant activation in the sedentary compared with the other groups, suggesting that exercise can modulate the postural control system.

RESUMO A rede de tecido é uma opção para o sentar na região norte do Brasil. No entanto, sua estrutura flexível pode causar instabilidade postural nos indivíduos com paralisia cerebral (PC), limitando sua independência. Assim, criou-se a rede adaptada, com inserção de sistema assento/encosto, buscando posicionamento sentado com alinhamento postural adequado. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o alinhamento de tronco e membros inferiores (MMII) de indivíduos com PC nas condições: rede adaptada, rede sem adaptação e banco, comparando-os com indivíduos-controle, sem alterações neurológicas. Seis indivíduos com PC (GPC) e seis típicos (GC), de 8 a 14 anos, foram avaliados na postura sentada nas condições: rede adaptada, banco e rede sem suporte de assento/encosto. Por meio da análise cinemática foram avaliados ângulos de tronco, pelve e membros inferiores na postura estática por 5 segundos. Houve aplicação de parte do questionário Quebec B-Quest com os responsáveis. Resultados: houve semelhança dos ângulos de MMII, pelve e tronco nas três condições. Quebec B-Quest: maior satisfação quanto às dimensões do produto e menor quanto ao conforto e à segurança. A rede adaptada pode ser considerada opção de sentar por curtos períodos de tempo, pois promoveu adequado alinhamento postural em indivíduos com PC.