title: Comparative gait analysis between children with autism and age-matched controls: analysis with temporal-spatial and foot pressure variables.
abstract: [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the gait pattern of children with autism by using a gait analysis system. [Subjects] Thirty children were selected for this study: 15 with autism (age, 11.2 ± 2.8 years; weight, 48.1 ± 14.1 kg; height, 1.51 ± 0.11 m) and 15 healthy age-matched controls (age, 11.0 ± 2.9 years; weight, 43.6 ± 10 kg; height, 1.51 ± 0.011 m). [Methods] All participants walked three times on the GAITRite(®) system while their plantar pressure was being recorded. [Results] The results showed a reduction in cadence, gait velocity, and step length, and an increase in step width in children with autism. Plantar pressure variables highlight the differences between the active pressure areas, especially in the hindfoot of children with autism. [Conclusion] The results suggest that children with autism have an abnormal gait compared with that of age-matched controls, and thus they need extra attention to correct these abnormal gait patterns.
authors.affiliation: College of Education, Department of Physical Education, Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Bee-Oh
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Division of Sports Science, Pusan National University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.affiliation: College of Education, Department of Physical Education, Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Bum-Gwon
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: College of Human Ecology, Department of Exercise Rehabilitation Welfare, Sungshin Women's University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Mi-Young
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Autism; GAITrite system; Gait analysis