How infants adapt their walking to changes in their bodies and environments

Adaptability in infant walking

NIH-funded research New York University · NIH-10890148

This study looks at how babies learn to walk by adjusting to changes in their bodies and the world around them, like when they grow, carry things, or walk on different surfaces, to help us understand how they keep their balance and control, which could be useful for helping babies with developmental challenges.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNew York University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10890148 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how infants learn to walk by adapting their movements to changes in their bodies and surroundings. It focuses on how factors like physical growth, carrying objects, and different walking surfaces affect their walking patterns. By observing infants as they walk in various conditions, the study aims to understand the strategies they develop to maintain balance and control. This knowledge could inform clinical assessments and interventions for infants, especially those with developmental challenges.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants aged 0-11 years who are learning to walk.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 11 years or those who are not in the process of learning to walk may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for helping infants, particularly those with disabilities, develop better walking skills.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding motor skill adaptability in infants can lead to significant advancements in developmental theory and intervention strategies.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.