title: Spatio-temporal parameters and lower-limb kinematics of turning gait in typically developing children.
abstract: Turning is a requirement for most locomotor tasks; however, knowledge of the biomechanical requirements of successful turning is limited. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate the spatio-temporal and lower-limb kinematics of 90° turning. Seventeen typically developing children, fitted with full body and multi-segment foot marker sets, having performed both step (outside leg) and spin (inside leg) turning strategies at self-selected velocity, were included in the study. Three turning phases were identified: approach, turn, and depart. Stride velocity and stride length were reduced for both turning strategies for all turning phases (p<0.03 and p<0.01, respectively), while stance time and stride width were increased during only select phases (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively) for both turn conditions compared to straight gait. Many spatio-temporal differences between turn conditions and phases were also found (p<0.03). Lower-limb kinematics revealed numerous significant differences mainly in the coronal and transverse planes for the hip, knee, ankle, midfoot, and hallux between conditions (p<0.05). The findings summarized in this study help explain how typically developing children successfully execute turns and provide greater insight into the biomechanics of turning. This knowledge may be applied to a clinical setting to help improve the management of gait disorders in pathological populations, such as children with cerebral palsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Philippe C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stebbins
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Theologis
authors.forename: Amy B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Zavatsky
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male
keywords: Children; Gait; Kinematics; Oxford foot model; Turning