Article

Children under 10 years of age are less efficient than adults regarding their
dynamic balance control. The development of the somatosensory system is necessary
for the control of posture and balance. The foot, as the final link between body
and ground, transfers internal forces during gait. The coordination of force
transfer needs to be balanced between both feet thus leading to a potential
asymmetry of foot loading. The magnitude of asymmetry in infants' gait has been
previously studied. However, the individual development and improvement of gait
symmetry should also be considered. Therefore, the aim of this study was to
retrospectively evaluate the longitudinal development of foot loading symmetries
from the onset of independent walking. Sixty-two healthy infants were followed
over the course of 4 years by means of plantar pressure distribution measurements
(mean age of 15 months at study start and 63 months at the end). The subjects
attended a total of nine measurements scheduled every 6 months. Foot loading data
was recorded during walking with the emed((R)) pressure platform to evaluate
contact area, peak pressure, force-time integral, relative maximum force and
contact time. An absolute symmetry index was calculated for all parameters.
Furthermore, the infants' data were compared to the data of 26 healthy adults.
The adults were measured once and the data acquisition followed exactly the same
procedures as the infants' data. In conclusion, foot loading is asymmetric with
the onset of independent walking and shows improved symmetry with increasing age
dependent on the foot loading parameters.
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Langue : ANGLAIS