Sagittal plane kinematic deviations and spatio-temporal gait characteristics in children with idiopathic toe walking: a comparative analysis using statistical parametric mapping
Metadatos
Mostrar el registro completo del ítemAutor
Pozuelo Calvo, Rocio; Serrano Garcia, Almudena; Archilla Bonilla, Yolanda; Ruiz-Zafra, Ángel; Noguera García, Manuel; Benghazi Akhlaki, Kawtar; Membrilla Mesa, Miguel David; DiCaudo, Carla; Heredia Jiménez, José MaríaEditorial
MDPI
Materia
idiopathic toe walking gait analysis pediatric
Fecha
2025-02-27Referencia bibliográfica
Pozuelo-Calvo, R.; Serrano-Garcia, A.; Archilla-Bonilla, Y.; Ruiz-Zafra, A.; Noguera-Garcia, M.; Benghazi-Akhlaki, K.; MembrillaMesa, M.; DiCaudo, C.; HerediaJimenez, J. Sagittal Plane Kinematic Deviations and Spatio-Temporal Gait Characteristics in Children with Idiopathic Toe Walking: A Comparative Analysis Using Statistical Parametric Mapping. Diagnostics 2025, 15, 575. https:// doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15050575
Patrocinador
Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 19/01548; European Union within the framework of the Health Research and Development Strategy (2017–2020, call 2019) awarded to IBS.Granada; Instituto Biosanitario de Granada: TECE20- Rehabilita-T: Advances and innovation in rehabilitation and health promotion; Advanced Therapies and Biomedical Technologies (IBS-TECE20) via the research group at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las NievesResumen
Background/Objectives: Idiopathic Toe Walking (ITW) is a pediatric gait disorder
characterized by persistent toe-to-heel ambulation in the absence of neurological, orthopedic, or developmental abnormalities. While spatio-temporal parameters often remain
within normal ranges, subtle but clinically significant kinematic deviations may underlie
compensatory mechanisms that sustain gait functionality. This study aims to evaluate
spatio-temporal and sagittal plane kinematic differences between children with ITW and
typically developing peers using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM). Methods: A cohort
of 30 children with ITW and 30 typically developing peers aged 6–12 years participated in
this study. Spatio-temporal variables, including step length, cadence, stride length, walking
speed, single support phase, and swing phase, were analyzed using a three-dimensional
motion capture system. Sagittal plane kinematics of the pelvis, hip, knee, and ankle were
compared between groups using SPM to identify significant deviations across the gait
cycle. Results: Significant differences were identified in the single support and swing
phases, with higher values observed in the ITW group (p < 0.05). Sagittal plane kinematics
revealed a consistent reduction in anterior pelvic tilt (p = 0.002), reduced hip and knee
flexion during stance and swing phases (p < 0.001), and excessive ankle plantarflexion
during early stance and terminal swing phases (p < 0.001). The plantarflexion observed at
the end of the gait cycle corresponded to early gait phases due to methodological considerations of the coordinate-based event detection algorithm. Conclusions: Children with ITW
demonstrate distinct spatio-temporal adaptations, including increased single support and
swing phases, along with reduced walking velocity compared to typically developing peers.
These findings, coupled with significant sagittal plane kinematic deviations, suggest altered
neuromuscular control and joint mechanics. These insights highlight the importance of
detailed kinematic analyses to identify biomechanical deficits and inform targeted interventions. Future research should explore the long-term musculoskeletal consequences of
these deviations and optimize therapeutic strategies, such as physical therapy and orthotic
interventions, to improve gait functionality and quality of life.