Assessment of kinematic characteristics of preschoolers’ gait during the implementation of an intervention training program

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the kinematic characteristics of the gait of preschoolers before and after the implementation of an intervention training program. A group of twenty preschoolers without motor disorders participating in the study were assigned to two groups: the experimental group - 10 preschoolers (mean age 4.9±0.2 years) - and the control group - 10 preschoolers (mean age 4.8±0.3 years). Participants were assessed using the same test before and after the implementation of the intervention training program: they had to walk in a straight line three times along a distance of 5 metres (m). Kinematic variables were analysed based on 3D video processing using APAS software. Repeated Measures ANOVA was used to examine the effectiveness of the intervention training program (p<0.05). Results indicated that there were statistically significant differences in the Displacement of the Center of Mass during the Right Foot Support phase. There is a need for intervention training programs to enhance motor skill levels and the quality of movement in all children.

Keywords

• Kinematic characteristics
• Assessment
• Motor skill of gait
• Preschoolers
• 3D kinematic analysis
• Intervention training program