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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder
Published on: March 4, 2018
A new anatomically based protocol for gait analysis in children
Alberto Leardini1, Zimi Sawacha, Gabriele Paolini
1Movement Analysis Laboratory, Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy. leardini@ior.it
Insights
A new protocol for human movement analysis optimizes data collection for children. This method ensures reliable 3D anatomical-based measurements of pelvis and lower limb motion, improving functional assessments.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Movement Analysis
- Pediatric Motion Analysis
Background:
- Current human movement analysis protocols face challenges in data collection and reduction.
- Accurate functional assessments require anatomically defined reference frames and precise landmark tracking.
- Minimizing experimental time and ensuring patient collaboration are crucial for analyzing children with impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel protocol for analyzing pelvis and lower limb motion in children.
- To balance the need for precise, anatomically based measurements with reduced experimental demands.
- To establish a standardized method for 3D motion analysis in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- A marker-set of 22 skin markers was utilized.
- Six anatomical landmarks were calibrated using a pointer.
- Hip joint center identification employed a prediction approach.
- Anatomical reference frames and joint rotations followed current recommendations.
Main Results:
- The protocol demonstrated feasibility through analysis of a single child and 10 healthy children (mean age 9.7 years).
- Standard deviations for pelvic obliquity ranged from 2.1 degrees (inter-examiner) to 2.1 degrees (healthy children).
- Standard deviations for knee rotation ranged from 6.8 degrees (inter-examiner) to 9.6 degrees (healthy children).
Conclusions:
- The developed protocol is feasible for 3D anatomical-based motion analysis in children.
- It allows for precise measurements of segment and joint motion.
- The protocol supports data sharing according to current standards in human movement analysis.
Abstract:
Human movement analysis still suffers from the weakness of the currently used protocols for data collection and reduction. Reliable data comparisons and precise functional assessment require anatomically based definitions of the reference axes and frames, and therefore careful identification and tracking of the landmarks. When impaired children are analysed, the marker-set and other measurement procedures have to be minimised to reduce the time of the experiment and ensure patient collaboration. A new protocol is proposed for the analysis of pelvis and lower limb motion obtained as a compromise between these two requirements. A marker-set is proposed which involves the attachment of 22 skin markers, the calibration by a pointer of 6 anatomical landmarks, and the identification of the hip joint centre by a prediction approach. Anatomical reference frames and joint rotations are defined according to current recommendations. The protocol was assessed by analysing a single child in several repetitions by different examiners, and a population of 10 healthy children, mean age 9.7-years-old. The entire analysis was repeated after subtraction of the offset by static posture angles. The minimum and maximum means of the standard deviations from five examiners of the same child were respectively 2.1 degrees in pelvic obliquity and 6.8 degrees in knee rotation. The minimum and maximum means of the standard deviations from the 10 healthy children were 2.1 degrees in pelvic obliquity and 9.6 degrees in knee internal-external rotation. The protocol is feasible and allows 3D anatomical-based measurements of segment and joint motion and data sharing according to current standards.
