Gait characteristics of 5- to 7-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder while crossing height obstacles

LIU Tianlu; DUAN Xiaoqin; PEI Jingjing; ZOU Xiaofeng

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-1419

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2026, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (1) : 76-81. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-1419

Growth & Development

Gait characteristics of 5- to 7-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder while crossing height obstacles

LIU Tianlu¹, DUAN Xiaoqin², PEI Jingjing¹, ZOU Xiaofeng¹

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Abstract

Objective To observe the spatiotemporal gait parameters of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) when crossing obstacles of different heights, in order to provide reference for developing early motor intervention programs and nursing strategies to reduce the risk of falls in ASD children. Methods From November to December 2023,thirty children with ASD (aged 5 - 7 years) and thirty typically developed children were recruited.The Footscan^® plantar pressure system was used to collect the initial contact time, duration of contact, final contact time, and whole-foot center of pressure displacement during unobstructed walking and when crossing 5 cm and 15 cm obstacles.Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare gait parameters between the two groups under the three test conditions. Results During unobstructed walking, significant differences were observed between ASD and TD children in the initial contact phase of the toe region, the final contact phase of the toe and metatarsal regions, and COP-X (P<0.05).When crossing obstacles, typically developed children showed significant differences in the initial contact phase of the metatarsal and heel regions of the leading limb compared to unobstructed walking (P<0.05), whereas ASD children showed no significant differences in the heel region across the three trials (P>0.05), with changes only in the metatarsal region when crossing the 15 cm obstacle (P<0.05). Conclusions Children with ASD exhibit insufficient plantar flexion during the loading response phase and insufficient dorsiflexion at the terminal stance during walking.They adopt a more cautious movement pattern when crossing obstacles.Unlike TD children, who are more sensitive to the presence of obstacles, ASD children are more sensitive to obstacle height.

Key words

autism spectrum disorder / gait / crossing height obstacles / spatiotemporal parameters / children

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LIU Tianlu, DUAN Xiaoqin, PEI Jingjing, ZOU Xiaofeng. Gait characteristics of 5- to 7-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder while crossing height obstacles[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2026, 34(1): 76-81 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-1419

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