The reason babies kick in the womb has finally been explained as scientists believe it "wires up" the nervous system. And the phenomenon may be key to treating illnesses and even training robots.
The kick can carry a force of more than 10lbs and has mystified scientists for centuries. Now a model shows it helps the infant learn to control its body. The discovery has implications for medical conditions and developing more agile machines.
Lead author Professor Henrik Jorntell, of Lund University, Sweden, said: "The complex circuits are not pre-determined by genes but rather are reinforced by body movements."
