Two-dimensional analysis of gait parameters on normal and overweight children – an observational study

Background. Gait analysis is a systematic study of human locomotion that involves evaluating body motions, body mechanics, and muscle activity. Objective. To analyze spatiotemporal and kinematics variables among overweight children and normal children. Methodology. Non-Experimental study, convenient sampling, sample size was 30. Both boys and girls with 12 to 14 years of age were included in the study. Procedure. Participant were selected according to BMI for analyzing the normal and overweight children, based on these two groups were divided. GROUP A – Normal children and GROUP B – Overweight children. Outcome measures. Spatiotemporal and kinematics variables were assessed by using 2D gait analysis with software from Auptimo technologies. Results. Gait analysis of normal children shows significant difference in ankle plantar flexion, knee flexion and hip flexion in lateral view and in anterior view shows knee adduction, in posterior view shows ipsilateral pelvic drop and rear foot eversion at p < 0.05. In overweight children shows that ankle dorsiflexion, knee hyperextension, hip extension in lateral view, and in anterior view shows knee adduction and in posterior view shows that contralateral pelvic drop and rear foot eversion. In spatiotemporal parameters of overweight children shows reduced cadence and gait cycle compare to normal children at p < 0.05. Conclusion: This study concludes the normal and overweight children shows marked changes in ankle, knee and hip joint, knee abduction/adduction, pelvic drop, rear foot angle and spatiotemporal parameters.