Complexity of modular neuromuscular control increases and variability decreases during human locomotor development.

ABSTRACT: When does modular control of locomotion emerge during human development? One view is that modularity is not innate, being learnt over several months of experience. Alternatively, the basic motor modules are present at birth, but are subsequently reconfigured due to changing brain-body-environment interactions. One problem in identifying modular structures in stepping infants is the presence of noise. Here, using both simulated and experimental muscle activity data from stepping neonates, infants, preschoolers, and adults, we dissect the influence of noise, and identify modular structures in all individuals, including neonates. Complexity of modularity increases from the neonatal stage to adulthood at multiple levels of the motor infrastructure, from the intrinsic rhythmicity measured at th

SUBMITTER: Sylos-Labini F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9669031 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature