Development of muscle control continued into years of teenage

According to two new studies, children's development of fine motor control continues longer than previously believed and isn't exclusively linked to brain development. “These findings show that it's not only possible but critical to continue or begin physical therapy in adolescence”, Francisco Valero-Cuevas, a professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Southern California, said in a university news release. Valero-Cuevas is the author for both studies from which one is published in the Journal of Neuropsychology and the other one is published in the Journal of Neuroscience. “We find we likely do not have a narrow window of opportunity in early childhood to improve manipulation skills, as previously believed, but rather developmental plasticity lasts much longer and provides opportunity throughout adolescence”, said Valero-Cuevas, who also is a professor of biokinesiology and physical therapy. “This complements similarly exciting findings showing brain plasticity in adulthood and old age”.