Pediatric Gait

Question 1

New Walker (12-15 months)

Answer 1

—Short steps

—Uneven steps

—Wide base of support (Inc step width)

——Hip abd and ER

——Ankles everted and pronated

—High guard position of arms

—Hips flexed—why do you think (lower COM)

—Lateral weight shift—no trunk rotation (“waddling”)

—Flat foot contact or forefoot initial contact

——With excessive hip flexion

—Inc dorsiflexion during stance

—Little propulsive push off

—Small percentage can Inc speed when asked

——Cadence = 175 steps/min

Question 2

18-24 months

Answer 2

—Heels strike emerges

——Facilitated by ankle DF in conjunction with KE by 2yo)

—½ will show reciprocal arm swing

——No more high guard

—Most can Inc walking speed when asked

—Knee flexion is more consistent during stance phase

——(PF of ankle with simultaneous KF by 2 yo)

—Minimal push off

—Trunk rotation begins

—Step/stride length increases

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Question 3

3-4 years old

Answer 3

—Maturing gait pattern except for still with an á cadence and â step length

—BOS < width of pelvis

—Notable weight shifting

—Inc pelvic rotation

—Reciprocal arm swing well

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Question 4

6-7 years old

Answer 4

—Mature gait pattern (all components)

—Step/stride length continues to increase as a function of leg length

—7 year old cadence = 143 steps/min

—Adult = 114 steps/min

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—After 7– children also respond as adults to postural control (using core to maintain as opposed to using ankles)