Primitive Reflex Factors Influence Walking Gait in Young Children: An Observational Study

Background: Primitive reflexes (PRs) are observed as an automatic response to a specific stimulus. They are vivid from intrauterine life to 6 months postnatal. The reactions are inhibited with the growing maturation of the central nervous system (CNS). In some cases, when the natural process of development is incorrect, PRs manifest later. The analysis of differentiation in gait parameters in children with persistent PRs is important for better understanding their specific behaviour and movement. This study’s aim was to investigate the influence of active PRs on the gait parameters of preschool children. Methods: There were 50 children examined, 30 girls and 20 boys. They were 3.5−6 years old. The children had persistent PRs in the trace form. Each child was examined by S. Goddard’s Battery Test. The acquisition of the spatial-temporal gait parameters was performed using a BTS G-SENSOR measurement instrument. Participants walked barefoot, in the most natural way for them, at a self-selected speed on a 5 m walkway, then turned around and went back. They performed this twice. Results: The reflex activity influences gait cycle duration (p = 0.0099), the left step length (p = 0.0002), the left double support phase (p = 0.0024), the right double support phase (p = 0.0258) and the right single phase. Difficulties in recreating the crawling pattern and GRASP reflex influence gait cadence (p < 0.05). The left GRASP reflex corresponds to step length (p < 0.05). The activeness of the symmetrical tonic neck reflex correlates with the right single support (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The presence of PRs affect walking gait in preschool children.