Abstract
Muscle Utilization of How Babies Achieve a Roll
Achieving a roll is a key motor skill and an important developmental milestone for babies. To initiate and complete a roll, babies must use whole-body, goal-oriented movements that take them from their back to their stomach. Previous research about baby biomechanics, particularly in rolling, is sparse. Only one previous study has established six different coordinated movements that a baby may use to achieve a roll. However, no studies have explored how these coordinated movements are related to muscle activation. The purpose of this study is to determine which muscles are used during various movements of babies rolling from their back to their stomach. Understanding how babies achieve a roll, will help us determine how rolling changes with healthy development. This can provide valuable information to ensure products for infants are designed safely and help us understand when development is not progressing as expected.