Lower Limb Motor Coordination

Original Editor - Joseph Olamide

Top Contributors - Joseph Olamide, Chloe Waller, Kim Jackson and Leana Louw  

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Motor coordination, otherwise referred to as dexterity, refers to the ability to perform a motor task in an accurate, rapid and controlled manner[1]. Coordination is dependent on interactions within feedforward and feedback mechanisms between the central nervous system (CNS), sensory information, body schema and motor control[2] [3]. For motor control, sufficient muscle tone, range of movement and strength are required[4]. Within the CNS, the cerebellum is primarily is responsible for coordination[5]. Motor coordination requires temporal and spatial accuracy[6].

Lower limb motor coordination is essential for the performance of most daily motor activities, such as walking, running, ascending/descending stairs and standing from a chair. The effective performance of these tasks are critical for an independent life[7][6]. Impaired coordination impacts on strength, speed and precision of lower limb movement, thus affecting these functions [8]. It is also important for community activities, and it’s limitation may cause people to become housebound and isolated from the society, especially for those who had suffered stroke[9]. Motor tasks performed within different contexts require between-limb coordination, which is essential for an independent and safe life, especially in elderly individuals[10]. Lower limb joint coordination changes with age, increasing the risk of falls in the elderly population[11]. Adequate lower limb motor coordination significantly contributes to functionality of stroke individuals, its loss is the major contributor to disability in this population[12] [13][14]. Thus, therapeutic approaches aimed at restoring lower limb motor coordination are of great interest for rehabilitation professionals who are involved in research and clinical settings[15].

Medical conditions that may exhibit deficits in lower limb motor coordination[edit | edit source]

Assessment of lower limb motor coordination[edit | edit source]

Foot tapping test (FTT)

Lower limb motor coordination evaluation is very important for a physical therapist practice, as it enables the understanding of the nature and level of impairments of the individual in a standardized way[23] [24]. The information gathered from the assessment tools may help planning the interventions and monitoring the clinical status of the patients before, during, and after physical therapy interventions[25] [26].

  • Auditory-paced ankle dorsi and plantarflexion task[17]
Lower Extremity Motor Coordination Test (LEMOCOT)
  • Rapid alternating movement patterns test (RAMP)[21]
Heel-Shin test



Resources[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Bernstein, N.A. Dexterity and its development. (1st edition ed.). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; 1996.
  2. P. Weiss, and M. Jeannerod. Getting a Grasp on Coordination 01 APR 1998https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11390765/
  3. R.S Johansson, K.J Cole. Sensory-motor coordination during grasping and manipulating actions. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, Volume 2, Issue 6. December 1992, Pages 815-823
  4. Donna J. Cech DHS, PT, PCS, Suzanne “Tink” Martin MACT, PT. Posture and Balance. Functional Movement Development Across the Life Span (Third Edition), 2012
  5. Potvin A.R. Tourtelotte W.W. Quantitative examination of neurologic functions. Boca Raton 1985
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Desrosiers J, Rochette A, Corriveau H. Validation of a new lower-extremity motor coordination test. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 2005 May 1;86(5):993-8.
  7. Carr J, Shepherd R. Reabilitação neurológica: otimizando o desempenho motor. São Paulo: Manole; 2008
  8. John J. Lee.  Limb Impairments After Stroke in Stroke Rehabilitation, 2019
  9. Gao KL, Ng SS, Kwok JW, Chow RT, Tsang WW. Eye–hand coordination and its relationship with sensori-motor impairments in stroke survivors. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2010 Apr 1;42(4):368-73.
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  11. P.Ippersiel, S.M. Robbins, P.C. Dixon Lower-limb coordination and variability during gait: The effects of age and walking surface. Gait and Posture, Volume 85, March 2021
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  13. 13.0 13.1 Menezes KP, Nascimento LR, Pinheiro MB, Scianni AA, Faria CD, Avelino P, Faria-Fortini I, Teixeira-Salmela LF. Lower limb motor coordination is significantly impaired in ambulatory people with chronic stroke: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2017 Apr 1;49:322-6.
  14. 14.0 14.1 Menezes KK, Nascimento LR, Faria CD, Avelino PR, Scianni AA, Polese JC, Faria-Fortini I, Teixeira-Salmela LF. Deficits in motor coordination of the paretic lower limb best explained activity limitations after stroke. Physiotherapy theory and practice. 2020 Mar 3;36(3):417-23.
  15. Ada, L, Canning, C. Changing the way we view the contribution of motor impairments to physical disability after stroke. In: Refshauge, K, Ada, L, Ellis E (2005) editors. Science-based rehabilitation: theories into practice. Sydney: Elsevier; 87–106.
  16. 16.0 16.1 Krebs MO, Gut-Fayand A, Bourdel MC, Dischamp J, Olié JP. Validation and factorial structure of a standardized neurological examination assessing neurological soft signs in schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Research. 2000 Oct 27;45(3):245-60.
  17. 17.0 17.1 Wirth B, van Hedel H, Curt A. Foot control in incomplete SCI: distinction between paresis and dexterity. Neurological research. 2008 Feb 1;30(1):52-60.
  18. 18.0 18.1 Braga-Neto P, Godeiro-Junior C, Dutra LA, Pedroso JL, Barsottini OG. Translation and validation into Brazilian version of the Scale of the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA). Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria. 2010 Apr;68(2):228-30.
  19. 19.0 19.1 Schmitz-Hübsch T, Du Montcel ST, Baliko L, Berciano J, Boesch S, Depondt C, Giunti P, Globas C, Infante J, Kang JS, Kremer B. Scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia: development of a new clinical scale. Neurology. 2006 Jun 13;66(11):1717-20.
  20. 20.0 20.1 Maki T, Quagliato EM, Cacho EW, Paz LP, Nascimento NH, Inoue MM, Viana MA. Reliability study on the application of the Fugl-Meyer scale in Brazil. Revista Brasileira Fisioterapia. 2006;10(2):177-83.
  21. 21.0 21.1 Dittiger M, Bohannon RW, Andrews AW. Reliability, responsiveness, and validity of timed, large amplitude, rapid alternating movement patterns among patients with stroke. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2001;13(2):75-81.
  22. 22.0 22.1 Gunzler SA, Pavel M, Koudelka C, Carlson NE, Nutt JG. Foot-tapping rate as an objective outcome measure for Parkinson disease clinical trials. Clinical Neuropharmacology. 2009 Mar 1;32(2):97-102.
  23. Cavaco NS, Alouche SR. Instrumentos de avaliação da função de membros superiores após acidente vascular encefálico: uma revisão sistemática. Fisioterapia e Pesquisa. 2010 Jun;17(2):178-83.
  24. Soriano FF, Baraldi K. Escalas de avaliação funcional aplicáveis a pacientes pós acidente vascular encefálico. ConScientiae Saúde. 2010;9(3):521-30.
  25. Lima RC. Adaptação transcultural do Stroke Specific Quality of Life SSQOL: um instrumento específico para avaliar a qualidade de vida de hemiplégicos. [dissertação.] Belo Horizonte: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; 2006.
  26. Gadotti IC, Vieira ER, Magee DJ. Importance and clarification of measurement properties in rehabilitation. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy. 2006;10(2):137-46.
  27. Handelzalts S, Koren Y, Goldhamer N, Yeshurun-Tayer A, Parmet Y, Shmuelof L, et al. Insights into motor performance deficits after stroke: an automated and refined analysis of the lower-extremity motor coordination test (LEMOCOT). J Neuroeng Rehabil [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2022 Apr 17];18(1):155. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34702299/
  28. Molad R, Alouche SR, Demers M, Levin MF. Development of a comprehensive outcome measure for motor coordination, step 2: Reliability and construct validity in chronic stroke patients. Neurorehabil Neural Repair [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2022 Apr 17];35(2):194–203. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33410389/
  29. Krishna R, Pathirana PN, Horne M, Power L, Szmulewicz DJ. Quantitative assessment of cerebellar ataxia, through automated limb functional tests. J Neuroeng Rehabil [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2022 Apr 17];16(1):31. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30813963