title: Temporal and spatial parameters of stepping in place in children and adults.
abstract: Characteristics of synchronized and self-paced stepping in place were examined by analyzing a temporal parameter (step frequency) and a spatial parameter (step height). Participants were 20 adults (10 women, 10 men; M age = 22.5 yr., range = 21-23) and 10 children (5 girls, 5 boys; M age=6.1 yr., range = 5-6). Results indicated that: (1) the step frequencies, which were equivalent for both groups, were well coincident with stimulus frequencies; (2) when step frequencies were imposed, the step height decreased with increasing step frequency, except for the lowest frequency condition in children; (3) movement consistency was the highest at 2 Hz and deteriorated if the step frequency was higher or lower; and (4) the self-paced stepping in place was optimal in terms of movement consistency. These results showed that stepping in place is a rhythmic movement at a given range of frequency which is coordinated so as to keep the product of step frequency and step height constant.
authors: Department of Special Needs Education, Faculty of Education, Tokyo Gakugei University, Nukuikita-machi, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8501, Japan. r113001n@st.u-gakugei.ac.jp
authors: Yoshifumi
authors: Y
authors: Ikeda
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Kamiyama
authors: Hideyuki
authors: H
authors: Okuzumi
authors: Shogo
authors: S
authors: Hirata
authors: Mitsuru
authors: M
authors: Kokubun
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009949:Orientation; D013998:Time Perception; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult