Introduction. The adoption of correct walking patterns is an indicator
of the locomotor system readiness to establish optimal interaction
between body force and the surface, and the way of creating
pressure exerted by the feet during the walking cycle. The aim was to
examine how the speed and characteristics of the terrain affect the
distribution of force and plantar pressure during the gait of children
with different levels of physical activity.
Methods. A prospective comparative study included 150 students
aged 11–12 years and their parents from Banja Luka. According to
the protocol, each group of subjects walked at average and maximum
speed on flat and 5% inclined terrain. For the purposes of the
research, the Physical Activity Questionnaire PAQ-C (The Physical
Activity Questionnaire for Older Children), a survey questionnaire
for parents, measurement of anthropometric parameters and Zebris
strips (Zebris Medical GmbH, Germany) were used for gait analysis.
Results. When walking at maximum speed in inactive subjects, the
maximum force on the left (F(148) = 14.878, p < 0.001) and right
(F(148) = 8.204, p < 0.001) heel decreased, while in moderately and
highly active subjects it grew moderately. In highly active subjects,
the highest value of maximum pressure was registered (d = -1.41 for
the left leg and d = 1.36 for the right leg). When the slope of the terrain
changes in inactive subjects, the maximum force on the front
part of both feet decreased (F(148) = 5.043, p = 0.008, d = 0). The
influence of terrain characteristics was such that walking on a 5% incline
almost as a rule had greater effects on inactive children, while
moderately and highly physically active children gave an adequate
response when walking on the 5% incline.
Conclusion. Urbanization and new developments in society impose
the need to involve children in organized activities so that children
acquire the skills and demonstrate the competence they face in their
environment.
