Temporal and Spatial Parameters of Stepping in Place in Children and Adults

Abstract

Characteristics of synchronized and self-paced stepping in place were examined by analyzing a temporal parameter (step frequency) and a spatial parameter (step height). Participants were 20 adults (10 women, 10 men; M age = 22.5 yr., range = 21-23) and 10 children (5 girls, 5 boys; M age=6.1 yr., range = 5-6). Results indicated that: (1) the step frequencies, which were equivalent for both groups, were well coincident with stimulus frequencies; (2) when step frequencies were imposed, the step height decreased with increasing step frequency, except for the lowest frequency condition in children; (3) movement consistency was the highest at 2 Hz and deteriorated if the step frequency was higher or lower; and (4) the self-paced stepping in place was optimal in terms of movement consistency. These results showed that stepping in place is a rhythmic movement at a given range of frequency which is coordinated so as to keep the product of step frequency and step height constant.

Comparison of timing and force control of foot tapping between elderly and young subjects

“…On the other hand, the timing and force of the lower limbs have been evaluated by using stepping tasks in which subjects were asked to walk in synchrony with a metronome 9 , 10 ) . However, these studies did not find correlations between these two parameters, although several studies have investigated the characteristics of force control according to the isometric force exerted.…”