Abstract
To study the normal gait development in childhood, we performed a systematic gait analysis on 37 normal children (20 boys and 17 girls) aged between two and six years. The gait cycle, single support phase, ratio of stride length to body height, plantiflexor angles of the feet and propelling force increased with age, whereas the ratio of gait width to stride length and dorsiflexor angles of the feet decreased. The kneeflexion waves, heel-strikes were found in all subjects. From two to six years of age, balance-holding ability and feet plantiflexor forces developed, resulting in more efficient locomotion. The pattern of the lower limb movements on gait is considered to mature during the first three years of life.
