Reference values for mobility in typically developing school-aged children: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric physical therapy
• Developmental pediatrics
• Biomedical engineering

Background:

• Establishing normative data for pediatric mobility is crucial for clinical assessment.
• Existing data may not encompass the diverse aspects of everyday mobility.
• Standardized mobility tests are needed for reliable comparisons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To generate reference values for key mobility tests in typically developing children.
• To provide a benchmark for evaluating children with health conditions affecting mobility.
• To analyze age and sex differences in pediatric mobility performance.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 1512 typically developing children aged 6-12 years.
• Performance was assessed using the Times-Sit-to-Stand Test, 10-m Walk Test, 6-minute Walk Test, and Stairs Test.
• Data were collected from 12 primary schools.

Main Results:

• Mobility scores generally increased with age, with the Times-Sit-to-Stand Test remaining stable.
• Males demonstrated superior performance in more challenging mobility tests compared to females after age 11.
• Specific differences were noted in walking speed and stair climbing ability between sexes.

Conclusions:

• Reference values for pediatric mobility have been established using clinically relevant tests.
• These data facilitate accurate assessment and monitoring of children with health conditions impacting mobility.
• The study highlights age-related progression and sex-based differences in childhood mobility.