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Kinematic variability and relationships characterizing the development of walking
Author(s) -
LaskoMcCarthey Peggy,
Beuter Anne,
Biden Edmund
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
developmental psychobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1098-2302
pISSN - 0012-1630
DOI - 10.1002/dev.420230805
Subject(s) - ankle , kinematics , gait , physical medicine and rehabilitation , joint (building) , knee joint , gait cycle , swing , psychology , physical therapy , medicine , engineering , anatomy , physics , surgery , mechanical engineering , classical mechanics , architectural engineering
Abstract The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine the pattern of variability and relationships in joint kinematics characterizing the development of walking and (2) to determine whether controlling for postural stability in new walkers results in less variability. The variability and relationships among hip, knee, and ankle motions were measured during 10 gait cycles of new walkers, supported new walkers, two‐year‐olds and seven‐year‐olds. Fourier series were generated for each joint motion and standard deviations were compared across groups. An age‐related decline in variability was evident in select portions of the cycle. Stance and swing phase duration correlated with cycle duration for all ages. Postural support did not lessen variability in joint rotations for new walkers. Cross‐correlations for hip‐knee, knee‐ankle, and hip‐knee rotations were strong across all groups. These results suggest that a coordinative structure for walking produces strong intralimb coupling early in development, despite variability in select portions of joint motions.