Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
FIG 5.28 Young women throwing
and catching a heavy ball.
Children in Motion
Unlike many other animals, human children remain very dependent on their
parents for an extended period. They learn to get around independently after
only about a year following their birth. To master other tasks may take them
many more years. As a result, children's movements often appear awkward
and rather clumsy. Inexperience, relatively weaker body strength than the
adolescent, and diminutive size all contribute to this impression. Balance in
walking and carrying objects takes a while to master, and at age 2 they often
still tip drinks from a cup or drop items from plates that they carry.
A 2-year-old child may be able to walk and run freely, but she still has some
difficulty climbing stairs and does this by placing both feet on each step,
ascending one step at a time. Children generally master climbing stairs with
one foot per stair before they manage descending in the same way, and they
are around 4 years old before they can master going up and down stairs using
only a single foot on each step.
It would seem that balance and coordination skills take a considerable time
for humans to master. Initially they may have little coordination or the skills to
manipulate objects or undertake delicate or intricate actions. This often leads
to frustration, which results in increased clumsiness or mishandling, and as a
result they often undertake actions with undue haste.
Movement in the Elderly
As we grow older we continue to undergo physical changes that impact our
movement. We gradually become more prone to sickness and ill health, and our
Search WWH ::




Custom Search