P 153 - Variability of gait parameters in children: The importance of normative data establishment

Abstract

The aim of this study was to initiate the development of a database with the normative gait fundamental biomechanical parameters of a healthy pediatric population for the Laboratório de Biomecânica e Morfologia Funcional. Twenty-seven children cleared for neurological and musculoskeletal impairments, aged between seven and nine years old joined this study. From those twenty-seven, eleven completed a test-retest study with a median interval of seven days. Anthropometric, time-distance and peak values for the lower limb kinematic parameters were computed. The Interclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and the Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) were calculated for the kinematic parameters. Eight variables revealed SEM values between 2° and 5°, while all others were below 2°. Higher SEM was found for the variables Cadence (3.64 steps/min), Mean Value of Pelvic Tilt (2.48°), Maximum Hip Angle (2.56°), Minimum Hip angle (4.94°), Knee Angle at Initial Contact (2.40°), and Ankle ROM (2.79°). The MDC was below 6º in most of the variables.