研究背景與目的:本篇研究的目的是探討兒童及成人在地面上行走時與跑步機上行走時的步態比較。方法:受試者包括43位3-12歲的兒童及9位20-21歲的成人,行走於地面與跑步機時測量之參數包括時間空間的參數、關節動作、關節間與肢體間協調之變異性及生理消耗。結果:研究結果顯示兒童和成人有相似的適應特色,他們在跑步機上行走時會比在地面上行走時以較短的步長、較短的單腳支撐期、較長的雙腳支撐期、於腳跟著地時有較大的髖關節彎曲和踝關節背曲角度,較小關節間協調之變異性以及比較高的生理消耗來適應。以上步態的改變似乎顯示相同的目的即增加步態的穩定性來代償在跑步機上行走可能增加動態平衡之需求。結論:我們的發現顯示兒童在3歲左右,其適應跑步機上行走的步態模式可能已經擁有和成人相同的能力。
Purposes: The purpose of this study was to investigate the gait adaptation of children and adults during treadmill walking in comparison to overground walking. Methods: Forty-three children aged 3-12 years and nine adults aged 20-21 years were measured for temporal-spatial parameters kinematics, variability and physiological cost during overground and treadmill walking. Results: The results showed that children had similar adaptation features as adults that they adjusted to treadmill walking with shorter stride lengths, shorter single-support phases, longer double-support phases, greater hip flexion and ankle dorsiflexion at heel strike, smaller variability of intra-limb coordination and higher physiological costs than during overground walking (p<0.005). These alterations in gait appear to have the common goal of stability enhancement in compensation for an increased demand in dynamic balance control on the treadmill. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that by three years of age, children may have acquired identical capability as adults in adapting the gait patterns to treadmill walking.