Article

This study recorded basic gait data from 656 healthy primary school-aged children
(5-13 years) and 81 young adults (18-27 years) whilst walking over-ground across
a level walkway at varying speed. It investigated the effect of gait speed and
re-examined the issue of gait maturation. Participants completed 6-8 walks at
self-selected slow, free and fast speed along a GAITRite walkway whilst wearing
athletic shoes. Outcome measures (non-normalized and normalized) were gait speed,
cadence, step and stride length, step and stride time, support base, single and
double support (%), stance duration (%), foot angle and associated symmetry
measures. Compared to free speed, participants walked 24% slower for the slow
speed and 30% faster for the fast speed (p<0.0001). Both normalized and
non-normalized measures of cadence, step and stride length increased with speed
(p<0.001) whereas step and stride time reduced (p<0.001).
As a percentage of the
gait cycle, single support and stance duration increased with speed (p<0.001)
whereas double support reduced (p<0.001). Foot angle was significantly less (less
toe-out) for the fast speed than the free and slow speeds (p<0.001) whereas
support base was unaffected by speed. Symmetry measures were unaffected by age or
speed. Step and stride symmetry differentials (combining conditions) fell around
0.8 cm, whereas symmetry differentials for step and stance time, single and
double support fell around 0.7%. This information can be used by clinicians and
researchers to assess the gait of children.
CI - Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS