Indicators of the kinetics of locomotor stereotypes in healthy children in different speed ranges of movement

Abstract

Purpose

To determine the normative values of the kinetic parameters of gait in healthy children in different speed ranges of movement.

Materials and methods

Locomotor profile assessment by video gait analysis (CGA) was performed on an outpatient basis in 27 children (54 limbs), aged 10–13 years. The following variables were used and processed: peak negative hip, knee and ankle power (W/kg) (relaxation); peak positive power of the hip, knee and ankle (support push) joints (W/kg) (generation); the total positive and total negative power was calculated(for the hip, knee and ankle joints); total peak power; net peak power values and overall mechanical efficiency. Kinetics indicators were generalized according to the ranges of ranking of the absolute walking speed (km/h), taking into account the weight of patients. Quantitative characteristics are presented in the table as a median, percentile range of distribution of values (25÷75 %) and the number of observations (n) equal to the number of limbs.

Results

The normative kinetic parameters of gait are presented at a speed of movement in the range from 1.1 to 5.0 km/h in healthy children aged 10–13 years. A strong correlation was found between the values of the power of the reference shock during the formation of the reciprocal inhibition reflex of the shin sprain and the speed parameters of movement (r = -0.925, n = 142 and p < 0.001). To change the speed of movement, the motor locomotor stereotype was changed with the redistribution of the load from one joint muscle to another. If the share of the contribution of the power of the muscles of the hip joint increased, on average, by 10.8 %, and of the knee joint – by 15.3 %, then the share of the contribution of the ankle joint decreased by 16.8 %.

Discussion

In locomotor stereotypes in the examined children, a significant positive correlation was found between walking speed and the total (r = 0.907, n = 104) and useful peak power (r = 0.475, n = 104) of the joint muscles, while the maximum median values of the useful total peak the power of all joint muscles was recorded at a speed of movement in the range from 3.1 to 4.0 km/h.