Analysis of gait patterns in normal school-aged children.

The continuing development of gait in 60 children aged 7-16 years was studied with plantar surface-attached transducers to describe the time pressure profiles of foot segments during stance. Decreased pronation/supination of the subtalar and midtarsal joints was shown by simultaneous onset and simultaneous peak on medial and lateral heel sensors. The resultant midstance showed a rapid lateral-to-medial loading of the forefoot. The foot-flat position with decreased rotation about the longitudinal axis of the foot persists even after the temporal parameters of gait attain mature values.