Temporal and dynamic characteristics of walking in preschool children with different level of balance: A pilot study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is impairment in motor coordination which can be manifested also by poor balance. Some childrenwith DCD can be more dependent on visual feedback to control their movements. This fact can result in disruption of predictive control, recognition of movement errors and correcting them.OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare foot pressure distribution and basic temporal and spatial variables during gait in the children with a risk of developmental defi ciency in balance and without motor diffi culties.METHODS: According to the results of the Test MABC-2 (Movement Assessment Battery for Children) subjects were divided into two groups – with the risk of developmental defi ciency in balance (rBAL) (n = 4, age 4.0 ± 1.2 years, weight 18.3 ± 3.5 kg, height 102.9 ± 10.6 cm) and without motor diffi culties (KS) (n = 9, age 4.4 ± 1.2, weight 17.9 ± 2.9 kg, height 106.4 ± 7.9 cm). Distribution of plantar pressure was detected by the Footscansystem (RSscan International, Olen, Belgium). Basic time and pressure variables were assessed in these areas: lateral and medial heel, 1st–5th metatarsal, midfoot and big toe and other toes. The gait was performed at self-selected speed, barefoot, three trials per child. Diff erences between groups were assessed by eff ect size – Cohen’s d.RESULTS: The medium eff ect was reported for pressure impulse in lateral heel, pressure peak in medial heel, pressure peak, pressure impulse and contact duration of 1st metatarsal, contact duration in 4th metatarsal and pressurepeak in area of 2nd–5th toe. Except for the pressure peak in the fi rst metatarsals, all of the mentioned parameters were higher in the KS group. Generally, the foot pressure and foot contact in the rBAL group was smaller and shorter, so their steps were faster and diff erent from a normal gait performance. Large eff ect sizes were found for contact duration in the 1st metatarsal and pressure peak in the 2nd metatarsal. It means that the rBAL children had shorter fi rst metatarsal contact duration and produced higher pressure on 2nd metatarsal than the KS children. Also, the step length of the rBAL group was less symmetric than in the KS group. The period of stance and double support was found similar in both groups.CONCLUSIONS: The results may indicate that as early as preschool age there could be discernible diff erences in some parameters of gait cycle between the typically developed children and children with delayed motor development.

Keywords

• developmental coordination disorder
• walking
• dynamic analysis