Funds are requested for an ADAMHA Research Scientist Award to support research in the acquisition of skills in infants. There is an intimate relation between developing perceptual-motor skills and all other areas of mental functioning during early life. The proposed studies are informed by a dynamic systems perspective. Thus, the research strategy is twofold: (1) to provide a detailed description of the developmental changes in reaching and walking and their multiple interacting subsystems, and (2) to identify and experimentally manipulate agents and processes critical to the emergence of new behavioral forms.
Specific aim 1 is to complete the analysis of longitudinal data on the kinematics, kinetics, and muscle patterns of infant reaching, collected weekly from 4 infants from weeks 3-52. This will describe the transition from spontaneous to goal-directed reaching, the improvements in the accuracy, speed and smoothness in reaching, and the dynamic segmental forces and muscle patterns that underlie these changes.
Specific aim 2 is to conduct a longitudinal study of infants between 6 months and 18 months to trace the kinematic, kinetic and EMG characteristics of treadmill steps, supported steps, and independent walking. This study will describe the developmental transition in the neuromuscular precursors of walking when infants stand, bear weight, and move forward independently.
Specific aim 3 is to conduct experiments where kicking and reaching movements are perturbed by a slight tug, which simulates the naturally occurring internal and external force environment. This study investigates how infants detect and adjust their muscles to proprioceptive input.
Specific aim 4 is a series of experiments investigating how infants acquire new motor forms. Infants will be trained to use bilateral kicks to activate a mobile, and the conditions and contexts that facilitate learning and remembering the new pattern of coordination will be manipulated. These studies are important to (1) illuminate basic developmental processes; (2) understand fundamental mechanisms of perceptual-motor coordination and control; and (3) impact on clinical practice.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Scientist Award (K05)
Project #
1K05MH001102-01
Application #
3075938
Study Section
Perception and Cognition Review Committee (PEC)
Project Start
1993-05-01
Project End
1998-04-30
Budget Start
1993-05-01
Budget End
1994-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1993
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Indiana University Bloomington
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
006046700
City
Bloomington
State
IN
Country
United States
Zip Code
47401
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Spencer, John P; Hund, Alycia M (2003) Developmental continuity in the processes that underlie spatial recall. Cogn Psychol 47:432-80
Spencer, John P; Hund, Alycia M (2002) Prototypes and particulars: geometric and experience-dependent spatial categories. J Exp Psychol Gen 131:16-37
Diedrich, F J; Highlands, T M; Spahr, K A et al. (2001) The role of target distinctiveness in infant perseverative reaching. J Exp Child Psychol 78:263-90
Zaal, F T; Daigle, K; Gottlieb, G L et al. (1999) An unlearned principle for controlling natural movements. J Neurophysiol 82:255-9
Vereijken, B; Thelen, E (1997) Training infant treadmill stepping: the role of individual pattern stability. Dev Psychobiol 30:89-102