Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 8, 2025
Methods to Quantify Pharmacologically Induced Alterations in Motor Function in Human Incomplete SCI
Published on: April 18, 2011
Kinematic and Temporospatial Changes in Children with Cerebral Palsy during the Initial Stages of Gait Development
Rigas Dimakopoulos1,2, George Syrogiannopoulos1, Ioanna Grivea1
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Thessaly, Faculty of Medicine, Larissa, Greece.
Insights
Children with bilateral Cerebral Palsy (CP) show gait maturation changes in their first 8 months of walking, with altered kinematics and temporospatial parameters compared to typical development. Walking experience impacts their gait characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Movement Science
Background:
- Bilateral Cerebral Palsy (CP) affects motor development, including gait.
- Understanding gait development in early independent walking is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze gait kinematics and temporospatial parameters in children with bilateral CP.
- To compare gait changes in children with CP during the first 8 months of walking to typical development (TD) peers.
Main Methods:
- Gait analysis of 16 children with bilateral CP (GMFCS I-II) and 15 TD children.
- 3D motion capture system to record lower limb joint kinematics in the sagittal plane.
- Measurements taken at the onset of independent walking and at 8-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- Children with CP showed increased plantar flexion, single support, step, and stride length after 8 months.
- Compared to TD peers, children with CP had lower gait speed and reduced knee extension during swing phase.
- These differences persisted at the 8-month follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Gait in children with bilateral CP undergoes significant maturation changes within the first 8 months of walking.
- Walking experience influences the gait characteristics of children with CP.
- Findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to optimize gait development.
Purpose:
To identify changes in the gait kinematics and temporospatial parameters of children with bilateral Cerebral Palsy (CP) at 8 months after the onset of independent walking and identify differences to Typical Development (TD) children at the onset of independent walking and at 8 months follow up.
Method:
Sixteen children with bilateral CP, GMFCS levels I and II, and 15 TD children were recruited. Gait kinematics and temporospatial parameters were recorded using a 3-D gait analysis system; the sagittal plane of the lower limb joints was analyzed. Baseline measurements were recorded at the individual's onset of independent walking and follow up was after 8 months.
Results:
Compared to baseline, children with bilateral CP demonstrated increased (mean difference ± SE) plantar flexion (11.79 ± 2.96), single support (0.04 ± 0.01), step length (0.2 ± 0.05) and stride length (0.4 ± 0.09), at follow up; all p < .05. Compared to TD children, they also had lower gait speed (0.16 ± 0.05), higher single support (0.02 ± 0.01) and lower maximum knee extension (9.14 ± 4.49) during the swing phase, at baseline and follow up (0.1 ± 0.04, 0.05 ± 0.01, 23.04 ± 4.17, respectively); all p < .05.
Conclusion:
There are changes in the sagittal plane kinematics and temporospatial parameters of the gait during the first 8 months of independent walking. These indicate gait maturation changes and highlight the impact of walking experience on the gait characteristics of children with bilateral CP.
