Infant muscle activity is modified by inclined environments during different styles of rolling

Abstract

Rolling is an important part of infant motor development and is largely affected by experiences and surroundings. The purpose of this study was to determine how inclined mechanical environments affect infant muscle activation during previously defined coordinated rolling movements. The results demonstrate that infant muscle utilization (age: 6.5 ± 0.7 months; 23 M/15 F) differs while achieving the same rolling movements on a flat surface compared to four inclined environments representing a range of inclines to which infants are commonly exposed. Thus, rolling milestone achievement on a firm flat surface is not indictive of the same ability to roll in inclined seated environments.