The three-dimensional kinematics and spatiotemporal parameters of gait in 6–10 year old typically developed children in the Cape Metropole of South Africa – a pilot study

BACKGROUND Functional gait is an integral part of life, allowing individuals to function within their environment and participate in activities of daily living. Gait assessment forms an essential part of a physical examination and can help screen for physical impairments. No three-dimensional (3D) gait analysis studies of children have been conducted in South Africa. South African gait analysis laboratory protocols and procedures may differ from laboratories in other countries, therefore a South African data base of normative values is required to make a valid assessment of South African children's gait. The primary aim of this study is to describe joint kinematics and spatiotemporal parameters of gait in South African children to constitute a normative database and secondly to assess if there are age related differences in aforementioned gait parameters. METHODS A descriptive study was conducted. Twenty-eight typically developing children were conveniently sampled from the Cape Metropole in the Western Cape, South Africa. The 3D lower limb kinematics and spatiotemporal parameters of gait were analyzed. The lower limb Plug-in-Gait (PIG) marker placement was used. Participants walked bare foot at self-selected speed. Means and standard deviations (SD) were calculated for all spatiotemporal and kinematic outcomes. Children were sub-divided into two groups (Group A: 6-8 years and Group B: 9-10 years) for comparison. RESULTS A significant difference between the two sub-groups for the normalized mean hip rotation minimum values (p = 0.036) was found. There was no significant difference between the sub-groups for any other kinematic parameter or when comparing the normalized spatiotemporal parameters. CONCLUSION The study's findings concluded that normalized spatiotemporal parameters are similar between the two age groups and are consistent with the values of children from other countries. The joint kinematic values showed significant differences for hip rotation, indicating that older children had more external rotation than younger children.