Normative database of spatiotemporal gait parameters using inertial sensors in typically developing children and young adults.
Stephanie Voss, Jessica Joyce, Alexandras Biskis and 10 others
PMID 32531757WHAT IT FOUND
Gait does not fully mature until ages 9 to 21, not age 4.
Stride length variability is highest in children aged 5 to 6 and normalizes by age 9. Absolute stride length and speed increase with age, but normalized values remain stable.
Key findings
01Most gait parameters achieve adult-like patterns between ages 9 and 21, contradicting earlier beliefs that gait matures by age 4.
02Stride length variability is greatest in children aged 5 to 6 and reaches adult-like levels by age 9 in both self-selected and fast walking conditions.
03Absolute stride length and gait speed increase with age, but when normalized to height, stride length shows no difference between age groups.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Test-retest reliability of the APDM system in children was not established in this study. Foot position data (toe-out angle) for children aged 5-6 were excluded due to aberrant values likely caused by adult-derived algorithms. Data collection occurred in gyms and hallways, which may have introduced distractions affecting younger children's performance. The study used a cross-sectional design, so it does not track individual maturation trajectories over time.
Declared interests
None of the authors reported financial connections to the manufacturer of the APDM Mobility Lab system or received compensation for the study.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that high stride length variability in children aged 5 to 6 is pathological. This study shows it is a typical developmental pattern that normalizes by age 9.