Air stepping in response to optic flows that move Toward and Away from the neonate
Résumé
ABSTRACT: To shed further light on the perceptual regulation of newborn
stepping, we compared neonatal air stepping in response to optic flows
simulating forward or backward displacement with stepping forward on a
surface. Twenty-two 3-day-olds performed four 60 s trials in which they stepped
forward on a table (Tactile) or in the air in response to a pattern that moved
toward (Toward) or away (Away) from them or was static (Static). Significantly
more steps were taken in the Tactile and Toward conditions than the Static
condition. The Away condition was intermediate to the other conditions. The
knee joint activity across the entire trial was significantly greater in the Toward
than the Away condition. Within-limb kinematics and between-limb coordination
were very similar for steps taken in the air and on the table, particularly in the
Toward and Tactile conditions. These findings highlight that visual and tactile
stimulation can equally elicit neonatal stepping. 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dev Psychobiol 9999: 1–8, 2013.