Walking and running in children from three to six year old

ANA CRISTINA DE DAVID
PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - UNIVERSITY OF BRASILIA

CLAUDIA ESTEVES
PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - UNIVERSITY OF BRASILIA

THIAGO NUNES
PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - UNIVERSITY OF BRASILIA

PATRICIA DINI
PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - UNIVERSITY OF BRASILIA

ELIANE MANFIO
BIOMECHANICS LABORATORY - ESTACIO DE SA UNIVERSITY

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     Last modified: March 1, 2007

Abstract
INTRODUCTION Spatio-temporal parameters change at different gait velocities. Describe gait parameters in different speeds, and what strategies children use to increase speed is important when studying gait development maturation. PURPOSE: This study described and compared spatio-temporal data during walking (slow, self-selected, and fast) and running in children from three to six years old. METHODS Twenty healthy children (10 boys and 10 girls) participated voluntarily in this study. Spatio-temporal data was assessed using two synchronized video cameras at 60 f/s. Three trials were obtained from each child. Children completed 10 meters in the laboratory using the following sequence: 1) self-selected walking, 2) slow walking, 3) fast walking, and 4) running. Lateral malleolus marker was digitized. DLT method was used to calculate 3-D coordinates. Repeated measures ANOVA was performed to compare stride length, cadence and single support time between speed groups. A significance level of 0.05 was used. Stride length was normalized by leg length. RESULTS The results are as follows. Velocity: Significant differences (p<0.01) among all speed walking (slow: 0.90?0.26 m/s; self-selected: 1.16?0.22m/s; fast: 1.49?0.26 m/s) and running (2.64?0.52 m/s). Stride length (% leg length): Significant differences (p<0.01) between running (2.26?0.38) and all other groups (slow: 1.33?0.28; self-selected: 1.48?0.16; fast: 1.59?0.14), and between slow and fast walking groups. Cadence: Significant differences (p<0.01) among all speed groups (slow: 128.39?21.29 step/min; self-selected: 150.70?23.29 step/min; fast: 178.78?24.71 step/min; running: 223.36?20.4 step/min). Single support time (% cycle): Significant differences (p<0.01) between running (12.96?6.34) and all walking groups (slow: 35.40?4.33; self-selected: 37.20?3.29; fast: 41.69?4). Fast speed group single support time was higher when compared to the self-selected and slow groups (p<0.01). Furthermore, higher variations were founded in running and slow walking for stride length and single support, but not for cadence. CONCLUSION This study provided spatio-temporal parameters data for running and walking at three different speeds. Results suggested that cadence, followed by stride length, is an important factor to improve gait speed in children from three to six year old.