From a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, Japanese researchers demonstrated differences in children's gait born in your country and elsewhere in the world. However, other studies suggest that the country in which the child grows up is indifferent in this process, with the coordination and consistency more relevant.
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Japanese study finds 4 key differences
The act of walking is complex and unconscious, involving an extensive combination of muscles and stimuli. Understanding how this act works and, mainly, how it develops can serve as a parameter for human health. With this in mind, scientists at Nagoya University and the Aichi Mikawa Aoitori Medical and Rehabilitation Center evaluated the walking patterns of 424 children between the ages of 6 and 12.
To carry out this Japanese study, a 3D system was used to analyze the differences between the lower limbs during a walk in children of different ages. As a result, four important differences were found:
- Older children have a higher number of steps per minute;
- Younger children have longer steps and stride length;
- Younger children have greater range of motion;
- Older children tend to point their toes more at the beginning of the walking movement.
This study showed that, although these patterns are common among children aged 6 to 12 years old, different nationalities, in Japan there are brief differences in the development of the act of walking marching.
And are there differences between the gait of children from other countries?
In a survey carried out in Mexico, it was possible to perceive results similar to those found in Japan. However, the number of steps per minute remained the same or decreased after 7 years.
In South Africa, school-aged children showed a mature angle of hip rotation when walking. Unlike French children, who take up to 12 years to develop a similar pattern, and Japanese children, who did not show significant changes as they got older.
Studies on the development of human walking and possible relationships between age or cultural differences are scarce. Therefore, there are divergences in the scientific community. Some research also suggests that the differences are more related to the child's coordination and balance and consistency. However, understanding this process can be an excellent tool in rehabilitation for disorders or orthopedic treatment.