Temporal and spatial gait parameters analysis in non-pathological Mexican children.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gait Analysis
• Biomechanics
• Human Movement Science

Background:

• Establishing normative gait data is essential for identifying deviations in pediatric populations.
• Understanding factors influencing gait parameters in children is crucial for accurate clinical assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define normal temporal and spatial gait parameters in healthy Mexican children (6-13 years).
• To establish reference data for future comparisons with pathological pediatric gait patterns.
• To assess the influence of age, gender, and footwear on gait parameters.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study involving 120 healthy children (61 boys, 59 girls) aged 6-13 years.
• Gait data was collected using the GAITRite System.
• Analysis included stratification by age, gender, and footwear to evaluate their impact on gait parameters.

Main Results:

• Age significantly affected gait parameters, with decreased steps, velocity, and cadence, and increased step/stride length with advancing age.
• Footwear use altered gait, increasing velocity and step/stride length while decreasing cadence.
• No significant differences in gait parameters were observed based on gender.

Conclusions:

• Gait patterns in Mexican children are significantly influenced by age and footwear.
• Gender does not appear to be a significant factor in temporal and spatial gait parameters for this age group.
• The findings provide valuable reference data for pediatric gait assessment and research.