New research shows: Japanese children have a different gait than other countries

A new study has found that the way Japanese children walk, or their gait, develop differently than children in other countries.

The gait is a complex, involuntary movement pattern that is important for most daily activities. It includes a range of movements involving the hips, knees, and feet.

The researchers analyzed 3D gait data, recorded through several markers attached to the legs.

A person's gait is important in measuring their quality of life and health status from a medical perspective. To help treat people with movement disorders, researchers are trying to understand the forces involved in gait. However, data on age-related gait parameters in children are scarce in Japan.

Two experts Tadashi Ito and Hideshi Sugiura, from the Department of General Health Sciences of Nagoya University, as well as Koji Noritake and Nobuhiko Ochi from Mikawa Aoitori Medical and Rehabilitation Center, Aichi Prefecture, determined the gait Japanese children's standards. They studied age-related differences in foot movement while walking using a 3D gait analysis system.

The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, found that the recorded gait of Japanese elementary school students varied by age. Although typical Japanese children aged 6 to 12 years have gait and gait parameters comparable to those of children in other developed countries, as they grow older, their gait differs.

Dr. Ito and his colleagues found four important differences between the age groups.

1. First, there was an increase in cadence, the number of steps per minute in the 11 to 12 year old group compared with the 6 to 8 year old group.
2. Second, there was also a decrease in step count and stride length in 11 to 12 year olds compared with 9 to 10 year olds.
3. Next, 11- to 12-year-olds had less knee movement during the gait cycle.
4. Finally, as the child matured, a higher moment of foot movement was observed.

Dr Ito said: 'We believe that differences in lifestyle, development and cultural factors all affect the gait of Japanese children. This is not likely to affect their health, but it indicates different characteristics from children in other countries. These results provide an important tool for assessing normal and pathological gait. At the same time it can determine the effectiveness of chiropractic and rehabilitation treatment for gait disorders'.