Biomechanical characteristics of overweight and obese children during five different walking and running velocities

Abstract

The characterization of activity patterns of overweight and obese (OW) children and adolescents is essential, and should be carried out before they join an exercise training programme and increase their physical activity in order to maintain or reduce body weight.The purpose of this study is to verify whether the biomechanical parameters characterizing frequently used walking and running speeds vary between OW and normal-weight (NW) children. Thirty-one prepubescent OW children (9.9 y ± 1.3) and 10 prepubescent NW children (9.9 y ± 1.2) participated in this study. All participants were evaluated for temporal parameters (e.g. cycle length, cycle time, stance phase time, double support phase time, etc.) and for foot pressure parameters (e.g. contact area, duration of contact, peak pressure, etc.) in six different foot areas, at three walking velocities, and two running velocities. A group effect (p < .05) was found for the peak pressure, duration of contact percentile, maximum force, foot pressure–time integral, cycle length, cycle time, stance phase time, double support phase time, relative stance phase, and relative double support phase, indicating that the OW children manifested significantly higher values compared with the NW children. Assessment of the movement characteristics of OW children indicated an elongation of gait parameters, such as step cycle and support stage, compared to NW children, in different walking and running speeds. These changes suggest that OW children develop different walking/running patterns with increased foot pressure, which may predispose them to foot pain and overuse injuries.