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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder
Published on: March 4, 2018
Correlation between arch height index, spatiotemporal gait parameters and plantar pressure in children with spastic
1Department of Rehabilitation Center, Changwon Hanmaeum Hospital, Changwon, Republic of Korea.
Insights
The arch height index (AHI) correlates with gait and foot pressure in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy. AHI may help assess and guide interventions for improved walking and foot posture.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Pediatric Neurology
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) affects gait and foot posture.
- Understanding the relationship between foot structure and gait is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate correlations between the arch height index (AHI), spatiotemporal gait parameters, and plantar pressure.
- To assess the clinical utility of AHI in children with spastic hemiplegic CP.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 15 children with spastic hemiplegic CP.
- Arch height index (AHI) measured using established methods.
- Spatiotemporal gait parameters assessed with GAITRite system.
- Plantar pressure evaluated using the Dynafoot platform.
Main Results:
- On the affected side, AHI showed moderate positive correlations with step length (0.522) and stride length (0.529).
- On the non-affected side, AHI demonstrated a moderate negative correlation with medial heel plantar pressure (-0.629).
Conclusions:
- AHI is associated with altered gait parameters (step/stride length) and plantar pressure distribution in children with spastic hemiplegic CP.
- AHI shows potential as a clinical assessment tool for this population.
- Findings support AHI's role in guiding interventions for gait and foot posture improvement.
Background:
This study aimed to investigate the correlations between the arch height index (AHI), spatiotemporal gait parameters, and plantar pressure in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 15 children diagnosed with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy. The AHI was measured using the method developed by Williams and McClay. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were assessed using the GAITRite system, and plantar pressure was evaluated with the Dynafoot platform.
Findings:
On the affected side, the AHI showed moderate positive correlations with step length (0.522) and stride length (0.529). On the non-affected side, the AHI demonstrated a moderate negative correlation with plantar pressure in the medial heel region (-0.629).
Interpretation:
The findings suggest that the AHI is associated with shorter step and stride lengths and plantar pressure distribution in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy. These results support the clinical utility of AHI as an assessment tool and its potential role in guiding interventions to improve gait and foot posture in this population.
