THE STRUCTURING OF NEONATAL ARM MOVEMENTS

The organization and structuring of spontaneous arm movements of 8 neo nates were studied quantitatively. The movements were divided up into units, each consisting of 1 acceleration and 1 deceleration phase. Thi s analysis showed that the movements had a distinct temporal structuri ng. An analysis of curvature was also performed, and it showed that th e most distinct changes in movement direction occurred at the transiti ons between movement units. Finally, the movements of the 2 arms were found to be coupled in all 3 dimensions of space. They had a clear ten dency to move together along the body's longitudinal axis, abduct and adduct together, and extend together in the forward direction.