A Comparison of Locomotion Fundamental Skills between Children with Lower Extremities Deformities and Healthy Children

Abstract

Locomotion fundamental skills play an essential role in improving motor development throughout the life span as they provide children with better development by enhancing search abilities in environment. This study aimed at comparing the locomotion fundamental skills in 7-year-old children with lower extremity deformities and healthy children. The statistical population consisted of 7-year-old male students with lower extremity deformities in Qazvin city. After a list of schools was prepared, some schools were randomly selected. Then, 96 subjects with lower extremity deformities (flat foot, genu valgum and genu varum) were identified in a primary screening. To evaluate knee alignment, varrum and valgus, a caliper with accuracy of 1.1 mm was used. To measure foot curve, CSI method was used. To analyze the locomotion skills, Ulrich test of gross motor development (second edition) was applied. The results showed no significant differences between flat foot and genu varum groups and control group in fundamental skills (P>0.05). Significant differences were found between genu valgum group and control group in locomotion fundamental skills (P<0.05). The results showed that genu valgum deformity can have a negative effect on children's performance in locomotion skills and also disrupt the natural alignment of the lower extremities.

Keywords

• : flat foot
• genu valgum
• genu varum
• locomotion fundamental skills