Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder
Published on: March 4, 2018
Differences in gait between children with and without developmental coordination disorder
Frederik J A Deconinck1, Dirk De Clercq, Geert J P Savelsbergh
1Dept of Movement and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Insights
Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) exhibit altered walking patterns, including shorter steps and increased trunk inclination, suggesting compensatory strategies for balance control.
Area of Science:
- Movement Science
- Pediatric Neurology
- Biomechanical Engineering
Background:
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) affects motor skills, impacting daily activities.
- Gait analysis is crucial for understanding motor control deficits in children.
- Treadmill-based gait studies offer controlled environments for kinematic analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the walking patterns of children with DCD and typically developing peers.
- To identify specific kinematic and spatiotemporal gait differences in children with DCD.
- To explore potential compensatory mechanisms in the gait of children with DCD.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of gait patterns between 10 children with DCD and 10 typically developing children.
- Treadmill walking at a velocity scaled to leg length.
- Three-dimensional kinematic data acquisition using motion capture technology.
Main Results:
- Children with DCD demonstrated shorter step lengths and higher step frequencies.
- Increased trunk inclination throughout the gait cycle was observed in children with DCD.
- Reduced ankle plantar flexion at toe-off was noted in the DCD group.
Conclusions:
- Children with DCD adapt their gait on treadmills to compensate for neuromuscular and/or balance control issues.
- These adaptations suggest a modified equilibrium-propulsion trade-off for a safer walking strategy.
- Findings highlight distinct gait characteristics in children with DCD, informing potential interventions.
Abstract:
In the present study the walking pattern of 10 children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) was investigated and compared to that of 10 typically developing, matched control children. All children walked at a similar velocity that was scaled to the length of the leg on a motor-driven treadmill. Three-dimensional kinematics were recorded with a motion capture digital camera system. The spatiotemporal parameters of the gait pattern revealed that children with DCD walked with shorter steps and at a higher frequency than the typically developing children. In addition, the children with DCD exhibited a body configuration that demonstrated increased trunk inclination during the entire gait cycle and enhanced during the entire gait cycle. At toe-off a less pronounced plantar flexion of the ankle was observed in children with DCD. In conclusion, it appeared that children with DCD make adaptations to their gait pattern on a treadmill to compensate for problems with neuromuscular and/or balance control. These adaptations seem to result in a safer walking strategy where the compromise between equilibrium and propulsion is different compared to typically developing children.
