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The impact of hearing loss on three-dimensional lower limb joint torques during walking in prepubertal boys
Elaheh Azadian1, Mahdi Majlesi2, Amir Ali Jafarnezhadgero3
1Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan Branch, Hamedan, Iran.
Insights
Children with hearing loss exhibit altered lower limb joint torques during walking, suggesting unstable gait. This study compared biomechanical gait parameters in deaf versus hearing boys, revealing significant differences in joint torque patterns.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Pediatrics
- Auditory Science
Background:
- The impact of hearing loss on children's gait biomechanics is not well understood.
- Investigating lower limb joint torques in deaf children is crucial for understanding gait alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine and compare three-dimensional lower limb joint torques in deaf children versus age-matched healthy children during walking.
- To identify specific biomechanical differences in gait parameters between these groups.
Main Methods:
- Thirty prepubertal boys (aged 8-14) were divided into a deaf group and a healthy control group.
- Three-dimensional joint torques were analyzed during barefoot walking at preferred speed using force plates and motion capture systems.
Main Results:
- Boys with hearing loss demonstrated significantly lower joint torques in ankle evertors, knee flexors, abductors, internal rotators, and hip internal rotators.
- Deaf participants showed larger peak ankle dorsiflexor, knee adductor, and hip adductor torques in the dominant limb compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Altered lower limb torques in children with hearing loss indicate unstable gait patterns.
- Further research is needed to explore the potential of physical training interventions to improve gait performance in this population.
Introduction:
In children, the impact of hearing loss on biomechanical gait parameters is not well understood. Thus, the objectives of this study were to examine three-dimensional lower limb joint torques in deaf compared to age-matched healthy (hearing) children while walking at preferred gait speed.
Methods:
Thirty prepubertal boys aged 8-14 were enrolled in this study and divided into a group with hearing loss (deaf group) and an age-matched healthy control. Three-dimensional joint torques were analyzed during barefoot walking at preferred speed using Kistler force plates and a Vicon motion capture system.
Results:
Findings revealed that boys with hearing loss showed lower joint torques in ankle evertors, knee flexors, abductors and internal rotators as well as in hip internal rotators in both, the dominant and non-dominant lower limbs (all p < 0.05; d = 1.23-7.00; 14-79%). Further, in the dominant limb, larger peak ankle dorsiflexor (p < 0.001; d = 1.83; 129%), knee adductor (p < 0.001; d = 3.20; 800%), and hip adductor torques (p < 0.001; d = 2.62; 350%) were found in deaf participants compared with controls.
Conclusion:
The observed altered lower limb torques during walking are indicative of unstable gait in children with hearing loss. More research is needed to elucidate whether physical training (e.g., balance and/or gait training) has the potential to improve walking performance in this patient group.
