Biomechanical analysis of spatio-temporal gait factors in determining gender gait maturation in school children

Abstract

Background: Spatio-temporal gait analysis includes identification of distance (Spatio) and time (temporal) related events during entire gait cycle for characterizing the gait.Research question: Although quantitative norms have been developed for various spatial and temporal characteristics of gait but less information is available of childhood, especially during early school years. There is a lack of adequate description of biomechanics in typically developing healthy children. Subsequently, the study was focused on both the genders of human population with ages ranging from 5-8 years, because this is the transition period in relation to the development of steady gait.Methods: The approach consisted of designing an experimental set up to gather kinematic data of running of school children at optimum gait speeds. A total of numbers of four hundred and two (402) school children were randomly selected for the study. The Spatio-temporal gait parameters were recorded during a complete gait cycle and were analyzed using “Silicon Coach Pro-7”motion analysis software. The statistical analysis was done using SPSSv17.0. Results: The outcome showed significant difference in Step Length (t = 2.92; p