2020 Volume 47 Issue 6 Pages 560-567
Purpose: This study aimed to characterize the five functional domains (pace, variability, rhythm, asymmetry, and postural control) of gait performance in 3–10-year-old children.
Methods: A total of 76 healthy children aged 3–10 years and 14 young adults were included in this study. The child population was divided into four age groups: 3–4, 5–6, 7–8, and 9–10 years. Participants were instructed to walk at self-selected speed barefoot on a 6-m walkway. Spatiotemporal gait parameters (step length (SL), step velocity (SV), step time (ST), stance time (STT), and swing time (SWGT)) were calculated using a 10-camera VICON 3D motion analysis system. In addition, mean values, standard deviation, coefficient variation (CV), and symmetry index (SI) were calculated. These gait parameters were divided into five domains: pace (SL, SV, and SWGT_CV), variability (SL_CV, SV_CV, ST_CV, and STT_CV), rhythm (ST, STT, and SWGT), asymmetry (ST_SI, STT_SI, and SWGT_SI), and postural control (SW, SW_CV, and SL_SI).
Results: Differences in spatiotemporal parameters as regards a gait pattern were not significant in children aged 7–10 years and in adults (pace, rhythm, and asymmetry domains), whereas group differences in variability and postural control domains were significant in all children and adult groups.
Conclusion: Development of each of the five functional domains with respect to gait performance varies, and gait variability and stability mature longer than the gait pattern.
