Exploring variations in gait patterns and joint motion characteristics in school-aged children across different walking speeds: a comprehensive motion analysis study

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate differences in gait patterns among individuals with different walking speeds and identify the range of motion (ROM) and angular velocity for various joints during gait. Forty-five schoolchildren were randomly selected for this study. To capture their walking patterns, two FDR-AX700 4K HDR camcorders were positioned to observe the predetermined walkway. Each participant completed a 5-meter walk at various speeds, including slow, normal, and fast, while maintaining a straight stride. There were significantly higher ROM and angular velocity (p<0.05) at the hip, knee, and ankle joints across most stages of walking at a faster speed compared to slow and normal speeds. At the same time, the angular velocity was significantly higher at the hip joint during hip extension terminal stance at normal speed compared to slow and fast speeds (p<0.05, ƞ 2 =0.74). Similarly, the ROM of knee flexion swing, ankle plantar flexion loading response, and ankle dorsiflexion midswing angular velocity were significantly higher during normal walking speed (p<0.05). Conversely, slow-speed walking showed significantly higher ROM at knee extension terminal swing (ƞ 2 =0.52) and ankle dorsiflexion terminal stance (ƞ 2 =0.78) (p<0.05). The results indicate that individuals with different walking speeds exhibit significant differences in gait patterns. Slower walking speeds resulted in lower gait velocity and different joint motions compared to faster walking speeds.

3D gait analysis in children using wearable sensors: feasibility of predicting joint kinematics and kinetics with personalized machine learning models and inertial measurement units

“…The primary reason for the elevated error in the children’s generalized model compared to adults can be attributed to the diverse gait patterns among individual children, given their ongoing musculoskeletal changes and developmental stages within the specified age range of six to 15 years in this study ( Onis et al, 2007 ; Bari et al, 2023 ). However, as age advances, there is a reduction in variability within the gait pattern, as demonstrated in our findings revealing higher errors in gait analysis for younger children compared to older ones.…”

“…At a small age, gait tends to be less repetitive and will differ from those of adults ( Ganley and Powers, 2005 ; Jain et al, 2016 ), emphasizing the need to build normative data for a pediatric population ( Ganley and Powers, 2005 ). The differences in school-aged children’s walking patterns are often attributed to their significant musculoskeletal changes ( Bari et al, 2023 ), given that they are in a critical stage of growth and development ( Onis et al, 2007 ). A recent study ( Bach et al, 2021 ) suggested that the degree of gait maturity does not always directly relate to the chronological age of the child.…”

“…Three-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA) is a valuable tool for understanding a child’s gait pattern and how it compares with normative data of typically developed children’s gait ( Ito et al, 2022 ; Bari et al, 2023 ). The insights gained from 3DGA in children affected by lower limb movement disorders serve as a foundation for clinical assessment to target personalized treatment and improve their walking patterns ( Bari et al, 2023 ). Considering the unique challenges and broad spectrum of motor impairments in this population, addressing developmental challenges requires a tailored approach.…”

Gait Variability at Different Walking Speeds

“…Numerous studies have focused on investigating the variability of the gait cycle paradigm (gait variability, GV) to better understand the bioenergetics and control of the human locomotion [21]. This seemingly simple activity [22][23][24][25][26][27] involves a complex task [28][29][30][31][32][33][34] requiring a precise synergy [35][36][37][38][39][40] between lower limb coordination [41][42][43][44][45][46][47] and muscle contraction [48][49][50][51][52][53][54] in response to both natural and non-natural conditions [55]. As a result, individuals need to continuously explore new strategies [56-63] and promptly adapt the motor task [64][65][66][67][68][69][70] to the immediate environment conditions, adjusting their footstep cycle to the most appropriate one.…”