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In this episode, we break down the difference betweenlow core strength and aretained Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR), a primitive reflex that plays a huge role in posture, coordination, and motor development. Whether you’re a parent, therapist, or educator, this episode will give you the tools to better understand and support the children in your life.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
Why primitive reflexes matter for movement, attention, and emotional regulation
TheTonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR): what it is, how it develops, and what happens if it doesn’t integrate
Signs oflow core strength vs. signs of aretained TLR during the Superman position
How muscle tone challenges connect to reflexes
Practical strategies to assess and address both core weakness and retained reflexes
Tips for parents and professionals to create fun, consistent, and effective routines
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
Muscle Tone vs. Muscle Strength
Research Article - The Relationship Between Primitive Reflexes and Motor Proficiency
If you’ve ever wondered whether a child’s difficulty holding a “Superman” pose is due to a weak core or a retained primitive reflex—specifically the tonic labyrinthine reflex (TLR)—you’re not alone. This is a common question we receive from both parents and professionals.
The TLR is one of several primitive reflexes—automatic movements babies are born with that help with early development and survival. The TLR:
Emerges in utero.
Helps babies adjust to life with gravity.
Supports the development of muscle tone, posture, and balance.
Should integrate (fade away) by 3 to 3.5 years old.
The TLR divides the body into two planes:
Prone (belly-down) positions support extension (think Superman pose).
Supine (on the back) positions support flexion (think curled up like a banana).
If it remains active past early childhood, it can interfere with posture, coordination, and daily function.
These two terms are often confused, but they mean different things:
Decreased tension in muscles at rest.
Muscles feel soft or "floppy".
Affects posture, coordination, and endurance.
Refers to underdeveloped or deconditioned core muscles.
May coexist with low tone or occur independently.
Leads to poor posture, fatigue, and clumsiness.
Key Difference: Tone is passive (how muscles feel at rest), while strength is active (how much muscles can do). You can have low tone and still build strength.
Children with a retained TLR may show:
Difficulty holding a Superman pose.
Struggles with banana (supine flexion) hold.
Poor posture while sitting or standing.
Delayed crawling, walking, or sports skills.
Difficulty processing vestibular (movement) input.
Trouble focusing, organizing, or managing time.
Because the TLR is closely linked to the vestibular system, it affects balance, coordination, and sensory processing.
You can assess this reflex using these methods:
Child lies belly down and lifts arms, chest, and legs off the floor.
Watch for bent limbs, poor endurance, or asymmetrical movement.
Child lies on their back and curls into a ball.
Look for tremors, lack of endurance, or inability to hold the pose.
Child stands tall and tilts head up or down.
Observe for sway, imbalance, or involuntary movement.
This removes strength as a factor, making it easier to isolate reflex activity.
Distinguishing between weak core strength and a retained TLR can be tricky because they often present similarly and can influence one another. However, there are some useful patterns that can help guide your observations.
Children with weak core muscles may initially struggle with the Superman position but show improvement with regular practice and strengthening exercises. On the other hand, children with a retained TLR often continue to struggle with the position regardless of strengthening, showing little to no improvement over time.
Here are some general differences to look for:
Weak core strength typically improves with practice.
Retained TLR usually does not improve despite repetition.
A child with a weak core may struggle at first but improve over time.
A retained TLR often results in persistent difficulty, including asymmetry or collapse.
A stable response may indicate weak core strength.
Swaying or involuntary movement suggests a retained reflex.
Weak core may occur independently.
TLR is often seen alongside other retained reflexes, like the Moro.
Weak core affects mostly motor skills.
Retained TLR can influence motor, sensory, and even cognitive function.
OTTip: It’s common for children to have both. A retained TLR can interfere with core development, and poor core strength can make it harder to integrate primitive reflexes.
Don't choose between the two—support both with these activities:
Forward and backward, through tunnels or obstacles.
Builds reciprocal coordination and core strength.
Child lies on a therapy ball, walks hands out to plank, holds for 5–10 seconds.
Strengthens shoulders, core, and improves postural control.
Jumping, spinning, rolling, and animal walks (bear, crab, frog).
Engage full-body systems and promote regulation.
A 6-year-old sensory seeker living in temporary housing with his family showed:
High oral and tactile seeking.
Difficulty with transitions and frustration tolerance.
Frequent statements like "I don't like anything".
After adding daily movement, reflex integration strategies (especially for Moro and TLR), and building self-confidence through praise and success, his behavior and self-regulation improved significantly.
Whether you're a parent or a professional, it’s easy to focus on finding a specific diagnosis. But when it comes to reflexes and core strength, taking a whole-child approach is far more effective.
These systems are closely linked—a retained reflex can disrupt core stability, while weak core muscles can reveal underlying reflex challenges. By focusing on everyday function, posture, and participation, you gain clearer insights and can support more meaningful, lasting progress.
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science & art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views & opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties & what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
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