Abstract
This study aimed to analyse the kinematic differences in gait between three groups of toddlers who differed in their weeks of independent walking (IW) experience, but not in anthropometrical characteristics, to determine the relationship between walking experience without the side effect of morphological differences on gait parameters. Twenty-six toddlers participated in this study. Depending on the week of their IW, toddlers were divided into three groups: Group 1 (1–5 weeks of IW), Group 2 (6–10 weeks of IW), and Group 3 (11–15 weeks of IW). Each toddler walked barefooted over a 2-m long pathway, and 3D kinematic data were obtained. A decrease in the upper limb position, hip flexion, and step width, i.e., changes towards the adult gait pattern, were observed in Group 3. Less experienced walkers exhibited a wider step width despite no statistically significant difference in body mass and height between groups. Results of this study show no statistically significant difference in step length between groups, suggesting that step length is more related to height than to the walking experience. The increased step length in more experienced walkers reported in previous studies may therefore be a result of different heights and not walking experience.
Highlights
The development of walking in toddlers is an important kinematic milestone
The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in kinematic gait parameters related to walking practice to gain a better understanding of the ontogenetic development of human walking
The aim of this study was to analyse the kinematic differences in gait between three groups of toddlers who differed in their weeks of experience with independent walking (IW) but not in their age, height, or body mass
Summary
The development of walking in toddlers is an important kinematic milestone. Walking patterns can vary widely amongst toddlers and are characterised by unique biomechanical strategies [1]. Walking alone was reported to have the widest variety in the age of achievement compared to other gross motor developmental milestones in babies and toddlers [2]. Toddlers perform their first unsupported steps between approximately 8.2 to 17.6 months of age (estimated 1st and 99th percentile) [2,3] and are gradually refined with practice and maturity [2]. Pre-walking toddlers at about 10 months of age can maintain the static equilibrium; they perform a greater centre of pressure sway compared to adults [4]. Up to six months after independent walking (IW), the dynamic equilibrium and trunk stabilisation during gait improves, the second phase (up to 7 years) is characterised by a more precise adjustment of the gait parameters [9,10]
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