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Gait parameters in a reference sample of healthy Spanish schoolchildren: multivariate descriptive statistics and
I Pulido-Valdeolivas1, D Gómez-Andrés, J A Martín-Gonzalo
1TRADESMA, Instituto de investigación Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Madrid, España.
Insights
This study provides normal gait data for Spanish children using instrumental gait analysis. It identifies significant left-right asymmetries in hip flexion and abduction, offering valuable reference data for pediatric motor disorder evaluations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric orthopedics
- Biomechanics
- Motor control
Background:
- Instrumental gait analysis is increasingly used for pediatric motor disorder evaluation.
- Limited reference data exists for the Spanish pediatric population.
- Establishing normal gait parameters is crucial for accurate patient assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normal values for 16 gait variables in healthy Spanish schoolchildren.
- To identify linear associations between gait variables.
- To detect left-right gait asymmetries in this population.
Main Methods:
- Instrumental gait analysis was performed on 27 schoolchildren aged 5-13 years.
- 16 clinically relevant gait variables were measured.
- Statistical analysis included Student's t-tests for asymmetries and heat maps for associations.
Main Results:
- Reference value tables for 16 gait variables were generated.
- Significant asymmetries were found in minimum hip flexion and peak hip abduction during swing.
- Functional associations between gait variables were observed.
Conclusions:
- A reference dataset for Spanish school-aged children's gait has been established.
- The data highlights observable left-right asymmetries and functional associations in gait variables.
- This dataset serves as a vital resource for evaluating pediatric motor disorders.
Introduction:
Instrumental gait analysis is an emerging technology used increasingly to evaluate motor disorders in children. Normal reference data is necessary in order to evaluate patients, but there are few reference resources for the Spanish paediatric population.
Objective:
We aim to describe the values of 16 clinically relevant gait variables in healthy Spanish schoolchildren, and identify any linear associations or left-right asymmetries.
Subjects And Methods:
The values of 16 gait variables were determined in schoolchildren (n=27, aged 5-13 years) using instrumental gait analysis. We analysed asymmetries for each variable (Student's t-test for dependent samples) and calculated their confidence intervals (95% of the standardised difference in right and left means [SMD]). Values and associations between variables were represented using a heat map.
Results:
Our project presents normal values tables for 16 variables in the gait cycle. Significant asymmetries were detected in the mean values for minimum hip flexion (SMD: 0.25 95% CI, 0.11-0.39) and peak hip abduction in swing (SMD: -1.05 95% CI: -1.71--0.27). Functional associations among gait variables are present.
Conclusions:
We present a reference dataset for Spanish school-aged children in which left-right asymmetries and functional associations may be observed for different variables.
