Analysis of the influence of footwear in the first steps of children's walking.
TYPES OF FOOTWEAR ANALYZED
MINIMALIST
FOOTWEAR
CONVENTIONAL
FOOTWEAR
BIOGATEO
BIOMECANICS
What influences the evolution of the gait pattern?
INTRINSIC FACTORS
Like the anatomical changes in the musculoskeletal system and in the nervous system or the accumulation of experiences.
EXTRINSIC FACTORS
Among the factors extrinsic to child development, footwear stands out.
The results of the study show that all footwear alters the barefoot walking pattern.
The fact of wearing shoes supposes an artificial extension of the lower limb that the child has to manage during the development of walking. If, in addition, this footwear does not present a minimum functional structure, the child will have to make an extra effort that translates into a greater modification of the gait pattern and less control, which leads to an increase in stumbling and falls.
BARE FOOT |
MINIMALIST FOOTWEAR |
CONVENTIONAL FOOTWEAR |
BIOGATING BIOMECANICS |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March pattern | Short steps Slow walk |
Long strides Fast walking |
Long strides Slow walking |
Long strides Fast walking |
| Mid-Lateral Mobility | Not limited | Low control |
High control |
High control |
| Stability | Falls 0% | Falls 7.5% |
Falls 0% |
Falls 0% |
| Repeatability | Step length most repeatable |
Step length plus variable |
Step length most repeatable |
Step length most repeatable |
| MTF flexibility | Full flexibility | Very flexible |
Inflexible |
Flexible |
| Ankle joint mobility | Not limited | Augmented |
Augmented |
Augmented |
- Gait pattern
- Repeatability
- Flexibility
- Ankle mobility
- Mid-side control
- Stability
Repeatability
A more variable step length is associated with a more unstable gait and a higher risk of falls.
Minimalist footwear produces a gait with greater variability in step length.
Metatarsal Flexibility
The shoe must facilitate the flexion of the metatarsophalangeal joint during the take-off phase.
All footwear reduces the mobility of the metatarsophalangeal joint with respect to the bare foot.
Ankle joint mobility
In barefoot walking, the foot barely flexes with respect to the tibia at initial contact, so it contacts practically flat.
The footwear increases the range of mobility of the ankle and knee joint in its ranges of flexion and extension with respect to going barefoot.
From these results it can be concluded that the presence of footwear does not limit the movements of the knee or ankle compared to the barefoot condition.
Mid-side control
Structural support in the shoe improves medial-lateral heel control at initial foot contact with the ground.
The Biogateo footwear provides more medial-lateral control in the initial contact of the heel and the support of the foot on the ground, which reduces the risk of instability.
Stability
Footwear without minimal functional structure increases the risk of falls compared to walking barefoot.
The only presence of falls with minimalist footwear stands out.