Temporal and spatial gait parameters analysis in non-pathological Mexican children

Objective: To examine temporal and spatial gait parameters in Mexican healthy pediatric subjects to describe normal values which could serve as reference data to eventually compare pathological patterns of the Mexican infant gait. Materials and methods: Descriptive study that analyzed the gait of 120 children (61 boys and 59 girls) between the ages of 6 and 13 years old. Modifying factors (age, gender, and footwear) were recorded and its impact over temporal and spatial gait parameters was assessed. The data was stratified according to the modifying factors. A GAITRite (R) System was used for recording the gait data. Results: Significant differences were noted for the following factors: age and the use of footwear. As the individual advances in age, a decrease in number of steps, normalized velocity, velocity, cadence, normalized cadence, normalized step and stride length was observed. In contrast, step and stride length increased. Use of footwear increased velocity (normalized and non-normalized), normalized cadence, step and stride length (normalized and non-normalized), and percentage of stance GC phase; cadence and swing GC percentage diminished. Gender stratification showed no significant differences in any temporal and spatial gait parameters. There were also found significant differences with those reported for normal adult and pediatric gait in the literature. Conclusion: Age and footwear modified gait pattern in the studied sample, while gender apparently did not exert any influence on it. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.