Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 11, 2026
Sit-to-stand-and-walk from 120% Knee Height: A Novel Approach to Assess Dynamic Postural Control Independent of Lead-limb
Published on: August 30, 2016
Kinematic and dynamic analysis of walking dynamic balance stability in children with spastic cerebral palsy diplegia
Tingting Ma1,2, Qi Zhang1,2, Tiantian Zhou1,2
1Department of Physical Therapy for Children, Beijing Boai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China.
Insights
Children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) have slower walking speeds and shorter strides than typically developing children. These gait differences highlight the need for tailored physical therapy to improve mobility and prevent falls.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
Background:
- Spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) significantly impacts motor function, particularly gait.
- Understanding the specific biomechanical alterations in SCP is crucial for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare gait biomechanics between children with SCP and typically developing children.
- To identify key differences in walking patterns that may predispose to falls.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 3D motion capture and force plates to analyze gait in 28 children with SCP and 28 controls.
- Collected data on temporal-spatial parameters, dynamic balance, and joint kinematics.
- Measured walking speed, step characteristics, center of mass (COM) displacement, and joint angles.
Main Results:
- Children with SCP exhibited significantly reduced walking speed, stride length, and single-foot support time.
- Higher cadence, stride time, and double support time were observed in children with SCP.
- Distinct COM displacements and altered joint range of motion were noted in children with SCP.
Conclusions:
- Children with SCP demonstrate unique gait patterns and dynamic balance deficits compared to peers.
- Personalized rehabilitation strategies are essential to improve walking and reduce fall risk in children with SCP.
Objective:
This study aims to compare biomechanical features during walking between children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) and typically developing children, providing evidence to improve walking ability and prevent falls in children with SCP.
Methods:
The study included 28 children with SCP from the paediatric physiotherapy department of the China Rehabilitation Research Centre (March 2023 to September 2024) and 28 typically developing children from a Beijing primary school as controls. Participants wore tight-fitting clothing to ensure clear visibility of reflective markers. A Vicon 3D motion capture system and AMTI force plates were used to collect data on temporal-spatial parameters, dynamic balance and kinematic parameters during gait cycles. Measurements included walking speed; step frequency, width and length; single-foot support time; peak displacements of the centre of mass (COM) and the centre of pressure; and joint angles of the pelvis, hip, knee and ankle in multiple planes.
Results:
Children with SCP showed significantly lower values in walking speed, stride length, step length and single-foot support time than the controls (P < 0.05). Conversely, cadence, stride time and double support time were higher in children with SCP than in the controls. Children with SCP showed greater peak COM displacement in the coronal plane but lower in the sagittal plane than the controls (P < 0.05). Significant differences were found in the range of motion of left lower extremity joints across various phases of the gait cycle (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Children with SCP exhibit distinct gait patterns and dynamic balance challenges compared with their typically developing peers, underscoring the importance of personalised rehabilitation treatments to enhance their walking abilities and prevent falls.
Clinical Trial Number:
ChiCTR2300071226.
