A study of the Biomechanics and Kinematics of Standing During Development and in Children with Cerebral Palsy. A three phase study.

Alice Wintergold, Chailey Heritage Clinical Services, Rehabilitation Engineering Service

• Is there a recognisable pattern of biomechanical and kinematic activity during set tasks in typically developing children in standing?
• Is this pattern different for typically developing pre/early walking children and children with cerebral palsy?
• Can the pattern for typically developing children be replicated in supported standing?

This study aims to define the parameters for standing support provision. The study has three phases. This application for funding is to cover some of the costs in the first phase of the study. The first phase of the study is a cross sectional experimental design using a convenience sample of adults to develop the methodology for measuring the biomechanics and kinematics of standing during set activities. This will inform the protocol used in the later parts of the study.

The second phase will collect control data from typically developing children and investigate if there is a recognisable pattern of muscle activity and joint position. Children will be tested in free and supported standing. The third phase will collect data from children with cerebral palsy and compare this to patterns obtained from typically developing children.