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Updated: Sep 14, 2025
Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder
Published on: March 4, 2018
Development of joint movement patterns during gait in Japanese children aged 3-12 years
Saori Miyagishima1,2, Hiroki Mani3, Yui Sato2
1Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Japan Healthcare University, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, Japan.
Insights
Childhood gait development shows hip joint patterns similar to adults. However, knee joint motion is greater in younger children, and ankle joint function matures after age nine.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Human Movement Science
Background:
- Gait development in children is crucial for understanding motor control.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated age-specific joint movement patterns during gait in Japanese children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental trajectory of joint movement patterns during gait in Japanese children aged 3 to 12 years.
- To compare these patterns with those of young adults.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 3D motion analysis system and force plates to capture kinematic data during gait.
- Included 92 children across four age groups (3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-12 years) and 21 young adults.
Main Results:
- Hip joint motion patterns were consistent across all age groups and similar to adults.
- Greater knee joint flexion during the swing phase was observed in 3-6-year-old children compared to adults.
- Ankle joint motion during loading response differed significantly in younger children, with the heel-rocker function maturing after age 9.
Conclusions:
- While hip joint development is adult-like early on, knee and ankle joint kinematics show significant maturation throughout childhood.
- The heel-rocker mechanism of the ankle demonstrates a later developmental timeline, maturing after 9 years of age.
- These findings provide insights into typical pediatric gait development and potential deviations.
Background:
This study aimed to clarify the development of joint movement patterns during gait in Japanese children aged 3-12 years.
Methods:
The participants included 92 children (25 in the 3-4 to year-old group, 28 in the 5-6 to year-old group, 20 in the 7-8 to year-old group, and 19 in the 9-12 to year-old group) and 21 young adults (adult group). Kinematic data during gait were recorded using a three-dimensional motion analysis system and four force plates.
Results:
The patterns of joint motion in the hip joint were similar across all the age groups. The maximum knee joint flexion angle during the swing phase was significantly greater in the 3-4-year-old and 5-6-year-old groups than in the adult group (p < 0.01). The minimum ankle joint angle during the loading response (LR) was significantly greater in the 3-4-year-old and 5-6-year-old groups than in the adult group (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the 7-8-year-old group did not exhibit the pattern observed in adults, where the ankle transitions from plantarflexion to dorsiflexion during the LR phase.
Conclusions:
Although the hip joint showed patterns similar to those of adults at all ages, knee joint motions were greater in 3-8-year-old children than in adults. In regard to ankle joint motion, the heel-rocker function in the LR was suggested to mature after the age of 9 years.
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