Analysis of gait patterns in normal school-aged children.

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Biomechanics
• Human Movement Science

Background:

• Childhood gait development is a complex process.
• Understanding foot mechanics during stance is crucial for assessing normal development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the time-pressure profiles of foot segments during the stance phase of gait in children.
• To describe the continuing development of gait in children aged 7-16 years.

Main Methods:

• Utilized plantar surface-attached transducers to measure pressure distribution.
• Analyzed data from 60 children aged 7-16 years.
• Focused on heel and forefoot loading patterns during stance.

Main Results:

• Observed decreased pronation/supination of subtalar and midtarsal joints indicated by heel sensor data.
• Identified a rapid lateral-to-medial loading pattern of the forefoot during midstance.
• Noted persistence of a foot-flat position with reduced longitudinal foot axis rotation even in mature gait temporal parameters.

Conclusions:

• Childhood gait maturation involves specific changes in foot loading and joint mechanics.
• The foot-flat position and reduced rotation persist beyond the normalization of temporal gait parameters.
• Plantar pressure analysis provides insights into ongoing pediatric gait development.