Effects of walking speed on gait and asymmetry in children and adolescents with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Children with spastic Cerebral Palsy walk with limitations such as muscle weakness, spasticity, bone deformities and instable joints. This study investigated the effect of walking speed on gait and asymmetry parameters in spastic Cerebral Palsy. 11 children and adolescents with spastic Cerebral Palsy walked at normal and fast walking speed. The subjects were able to increase walking speed, step length and cadence, as well as decrease single support time significantly. Asymmetry parameters did not differ significantly in the two walking speeds, suggesting that the walking strategy did not change from normal to fast walking speed. This could be a contribution in the debate on assessment of gait problems in spastic Cerebral Palsy.