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Updated: Apr 24, 2026
Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder
Published on: March 4, 2018
Level versus inclined walking: ambulatory compensations in children with cerebral palsy under outdoor conditions
N S Stott1, N Reynolds, P McNair
1Starship Children's Hospital (Dr Stott), Auckland, New Zealand; Health and Physical Rehabilitation Research Centre (Ms Reynolds and Dr McNair), Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
Insights
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) adapt to inclined walking similarly to typically developing peers. However, they exhibit greater postural adjustments, particularly trunk lean, when navigating slopes.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Movement Science
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) affects motor control, impacting gait.
- Inclined walking presents unique biomechanical challenges.
- Understanding gait adaptations in children with CP is crucial for functional mobility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine gait adaptations in children with CP on inclined outdoor surfaces.
- To compare these adaptations with those of typically developing children.
Main Methods:
- Ten children with CP (Gross Motor Function System level II) and 10 typically developing children participated.
- Gait parameters including velocity, stride length, and joint/trunk angles were measured.
- Four walking conditions were assessed: indoor, outdoor level, and 7° inclined up/down ramps.
Main Results:
- Gait patterns remained consistent between indoor and outdoor level walking for both groups.
- Both groups increased hip and knee flexion when walking uphill.
- Children with CP demonstrated significantly greater forward and posterior trunk lean on up-slopes and down-slopes, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Children with CP demonstrate similar kinematic adaptations to inclined walking as their typically developing peers.
- CP group utilizes more pronounced trunk postural adjustments to manage inclines.
- These findings highlight specific compensatory strategies in children with CP during challenging terrain navigation.
Purpose:
To investigate how children with cerebral palsy (CP) adapt their gait to inclined outdoor walking conditions.
Methods:
Ten children with CP, Gross Motor Function System level II, and 10 children with typical development participated. Walking velocity, stride length and ankle, knee, hip, and trunk sagittal plane angles were calculated for 4 conditions: indoor walkway, outdoor walkway, and walking up and down a 7° inclined ramp.
Results:
Gait patterns were unchanged between indoor and outdoor level walking. During up-slope walking, both groups increased hip and knee flexion at foot strike to accommodate the slope. During down-slope walking, both groups increased knee flexion in midstance to lower the body down the slope. Children with CP had greater forward trunk lean (P < .005) during up-slope walking and greater posterior trunk lean during down-slope walking (P < .0001).
Conclusion:
Children with CP adapt to inclined walking conditions similarly to peers but use greater postural adaptations.
