Normative data on spontaneous stride velocity, stride length, and walking activity in a non-controlled environment

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics and Human Movement Analysis
• Clinical Trial Methodology
• Pediatric and Adult Health

Background:

• Normative data are crucial for validating new outcome measures in clinical research.
• The 95th centile of stride speed is a validated secondary outcome for Duchenne muscular dystrophy trials.
• This study addresses the need for normative data on spontaneous gait parameters in a real-world setting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish normative data for spontaneous stride velocity and length in healthy individuals.
• To investigate the evolution of these gait parameters over a 12-month period.
• To provide reference data for Duchenne muscular dystrophy clinical trials.

Main Methods:

• Ninety-one healthy volunteers (mean age 16 years 2 months) were assessed at baseline and 12 months.
• Gait parameters including stride length and velocity were recorded in an everyday setting for one month post-assessment.
• Standardized functional tests (4-stair climb, 6-min walk, 10-m walk, rise from floor) were also performed.

Main Results:

• Stride length showed significant positive correlations with age and height, and increased in children over 12 months.
• The 95th centile stride velocity was not correlated with age and remained stable in all participants after one year.
• Most gait measures were stable in adults after the 12-month follow-up, except for the 10-meter walk test.

Conclusions:

• This study offers valuable normative data on stride velocity and length, influenced by age, height, and gender.
• The findings account for natural gait variations over one year in healthy controls.
• The data can inform the interpretation of gait assessments in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other conditions.