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Pendular mechanism determinants and elastic energy usage during walking of obese and non-obese children
Leonardo Alexandre Peyré-Tartaruga1,2, Henrique Bianchi Oliveira1, Arthur H Dewolf3
1LaBiodin Biodynamics Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Dance, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Insights
Obese children walk using less of a pendulum-like mechanism and more elastic energy compared to non-obese children. Bilateral coordination during walking is higher at slower speeds in both groups, warranting further investigation due to fall risks.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanical analysis
- Pediatric obesity research
- Human locomotion studies
Background:
- Understanding the biomechanics of walking in obese children is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the mechanical and metabolic adaptations during gait in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the pendular mechanism, elastic energy usage, and bilateral coordination during walking between obese and non-obese children.
- To investigate the relationship between bilateral coordination and the pendular mechanism/elastic energy usage in these groups.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of nine obese and eight non-obese children walking on a treadmill at five different speeds (1-5 km/h).
- Assessment of mechanical responses, including pendular mechanism (recovery, phase shift, work ratio), elastic energy usage, and bilateral coordination.
Main Results:
- Obese children exhibited a reduced pendular mechanism and increased elastic energy usage during level walking compared to non-obese children.
- Mechanical energy response of the center of mass was similar between groups.
- Bilateral coordination was elevated at slower walking speeds in both obese and non-obese children.
Conclusions:
- Obese children demonstrate distinct gait mechanics, relying more on elastic energy and less on the pendular mechanism.
- Elevated bilateral coordination at slow speeds in both groups highlights a potential risk factor for falls and requires further study.
Abstract:
The mechanical and metabolic responses of walking by obese children are not yet well understood. The objectives of this study were (1) to compare the pendular mechanism (recovery, phase shift by α and β values, and ratio between forward and vertical mechanical work), the maximum possible elastic energy usage and the bilateral coordination during walking between non-obese and obese children, and (2) to verify if the bilateral coordination could contribute to understanding the pendular mechanism and elastic energy usage in these populations. Nine obese (six female, 8.7 ± 0.5 years, 1.38 ± 0.04 m, 44.4 ± 6.3 kg and 24.1 ± 3.50 kg/m2 ) and eight non-obese (four female, 7.4 ± 0.5 years, 1.31 ± 0.08 m, 26.6 ± 2.1 kg and 16.4 ± 1.40 kg/m2 ) children were analysed during walking on a treadmill at five speeds: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 km/h. The results indicated that although the mechanical energy response of the centre of mass during walking is similar between obese and non-obese children, the obese children showed a lower pendulum-like mechanism and greater elastic energy usage during level walking. Therefore, obese children seem to use more elastic energy during walking compared to non-obese children, which may be related to their apparent higher positive work production during the double support phase. Finally, bilateral coordination presented high values at slow speeds in both groups and requires further attention due to its association with falls. NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Are there any differences of the pendular and elastic mechanisms and bilateral coordination during walking between non-obese and obese children? What is the main finding and its importance? To our knowledge, this study is the first to analyse the mechanical energy usage and the bilateral coordination of obese and non-obese children during walking. Obese children had a lower pendular recovery mechanism and used more elastic energy compared to non-obese children. The bilateral coordination was higher at slow speeds in both groups and requires further attention due to its association with falls.
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