Postural Tone and Balance Development in Children

Posted on Aug 31, 2024 in Physical Education

Evolution of Postural Tone and the Center Tonic

The evolution of the sensory-tonic system (SSTS) depends on the child’s maturational level, determined by:

  • Central nervous system maturation
  • Muscle tone maturation
  • Emotions

Key Stages:

  • Birth: The child is hypertonic, exhibiting impulsive movements.
  • 3rd Month: Neck and trunk muscle tone organizes, enabling transitions from lying to supported sitting and eye guidance.
  • 6th-8th Month: Balance in sitting is achieved, arms are freed, and shoulder girdle tone develops.
  • 9th-11th Month: Pelvic girdle tone strengthens through crawling, leading to standing around the 12th month.
  • 12-14 Months: Walking begins, marking a crucial point for inhibitory control.
  • 2.5-3 Years: Cortical inhibition improves, allowing for deferred imitation and refined tonic adjustments.
  • 4 Years: The child becomes aware of body positions and their effects.
  • After 5 Years: The cortex is fully functional, tonic control is enhanced, and basic motor patterns are established.

Evolution of Equilibrium

Static Equilibrium:

  • Around 1 Year: Sitting upright independently marks the beginning.
  • 2.5 Years: Brief single-leg balancing emerges.
  • 3 Years: Static balance on one foot for 3-4 seconds and walking on marked lines are possible.
  • 4 Years: Single-leg balance extends to 4-8 seconds, and walking on curved lines develops.
  • After 5 Years: Maintaining balance with open eyes becomes effortless.
  • 7 Years: Balancing with closed eyes matures.

Changes in Posture

Physiological or Morphological Causes:

  • Joint limitations: Restricted mobility.
  • Muscle imbalances: Disproportionate strength between opposing muscle groups.
  • Muscle weakness: Inadequate strength for sustained posture.
  • Weight distribution issues: Shifting the center of gravity.
  • Injuries

Psychological or Maturity-Related Causes: These alterations manifest in infancy and persist over time.

  • Paratonia: Difficulty relaxing muscles voluntarily, resulting in involuntary contractions.
  • Synkinesis: Involuntary movements accompanying voluntary ones.
    • Reproduction: Mirroring of voluntary movement in the opposite limb.
    • Tonic: Passive tension in a limb during voluntary movement elsewhere.

Educational Intervention for Posture and Balance

Rationale: Educating the SSTS is crucial for body schema development. It enhances:

  • Body awareness: Providing information about tonic motor activity.
  • Motor control: Improving muscle tone, which supports muscle contraction.
  • Movement efficiency: A balanced stance optimizes movement quality and range.
  • Communication and expression: Postural education fosters self-expression and social interaction.
  • Prevention: Addressing potential postural issues early on.

Aspects of SSTS Education

  • Sensory-perceptual awareness: Focusing on proprioceptive sensations, body awareness, and segmental control.
  • Tonic control: Managing muscle tone for both action and relaxation.

Activities:

  • Exploring various body postures and movements.
  • Developing body axis awareness through floor activities.
  • Practicing static and dynamic balance.
  • Engaging in object manipulation tasks.
  • Expressing emotions and imitating actions through movement.
  • Maintaining proper posture during daily activities.
  • Promoting balanced muscle and joint mobility.

Balance Education

Balance can be improved through targeted activities that enhance sensory perception and motor control.

Objectives:

  • Explore different positions for stability.
  • Develop controlled balance through gesture and tone mastery.
  • Understand factors influencing balance.
  • Experiment with varying stability conditions.
  • Assess progress gradually and individually.

Factors Affecting Balance:

  • Duration: Longer holds are more challenging.
  • Base of support: A wider base increases stability.
  • Center of gravity: Shifts with movement and postural changes.
  • Height: Increased height can induce psychological insecurity and affect balance.
  • Speed and direction: Faster movements require quicker balance adjustments.

Creating Balance Environments:

  • Varying surface size and height.
  • Using inclined or unstable surfaces.
  • Introducing moving surfaces like mattresses.
  • Combining multiple factors for increased challenge.

Balance Education Guidelines:

  • Progress gradually and avoid forcing situations.
  • Encourage climbing on different materials.
  • Practice movement on wide bases of support.
  • Introduce jumping from various heights gradually.