Article

Gait speed is one of the most commonly and frequently used
parameters to evaluate gait development. It is characterized by high variability
when comparing different steps in children. The objective of this study was to
determine intra-individual gait speed variability in children. METHODS: Gait
speed measurements (6-10 trials across a 3m walkway) were performed and analyzed
in 8263 children, aged 1-15 years. The coefficient of variation (CV) served as a
measure for intra-individual gait speed variability measured in 6.6+/-1.0 trials
per child. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the
influence of age and body height on changes in variability. Additionally, a
subgroup analysis for height within the group of 6-year-old children was applied.
RESULTS: A successive reduction in gait speed variability (CV) was observed for
age groups (age: 1-15 years) and body height groups (height: 0.70-1.90 m). The CV
in the oldest subjects was only one third of the CV (CV 6.25+/-3.52%) in the
youngest subjects (CV 16.58+/-10.01%). Up to the age of 8 years (or 1.40 m
height) there was a significant reduction in CV over time, compared to a leveling
off for the older (taller) children. DISCUSSION: The straightforward approach
measuring gait speed variability in repeated trials might serve as a fundamental
indicator for gait development in children. Walking velocity seems to increase to
age 8. Enhanced gait speed consistency of repeated trials develops up to age 15.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS