Sex and gender reporting in gait literature: A scoping review

IF 1.4 3区医学 Q4 ENGINEERING, BIOMEDICAL

Clinical Biomechanics Pub Date : 2025-07-30 DOI:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2025.106635

Molly C. Gries , Gretchen Deutschlander , Brianna Durand , Laura Johnstone

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Sex and gender are commonly reported in gait literature, but terminology is often poorly defined or conflated, making findings difficult to interpret. Improving reporting will support a more nuanced interpretation of sex and gender in gait research. The guiding research question was: How are sex and gender being reported by authors in gait literature?

Methods

A scoping review was conducted using a title, abstract, and keyword search of the PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases. Included studies were in English, included adults over 18, and reported at least one defined spatiotemporal gait parameter. Sex and gender reporting was assessed for consistency of overall reporting and adherence to the Sex and gender equity reporting (SAGER) guidelines. Key gait parameter findings were summarized

Findings

41 articles were included; only 6 consistently and accurately reported sex and/or gender. None defined sex or gender in the methods. Most discussed previous sex/gender differences in their findings (n = 33, 80.5 %), why sex/gender are important to consider, and the expected differences (n = 33, 80.5 %), and the potential implications of the sex/gender findings (n = 38, 92.6 %). Gait speed was the most reported gait parameter, with half of the studies reporting only gait speed

Interpretation

This study highlights that sex and gender terminology in the gait literature are reported inconsistently and often conflated, which may limit clarity regarding study populations and results. Clear definitions and consistent reporting can support a more nuanced understanding of the influences of sex- and gender-related factors on the gait literature.

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步态文献中的性别和性别报告：范围综述

背景：步态文献中经常报道性别和社会性别，但术语通常定义不清或混淆，使得研究结果难以解释。改进报告将支持步态研究中对性别和社会性别更细致入微的解释。指导研究的问题是：作者如何在步态文献中报告性别和社会性别？方法采用PubMed、EMBASE、CINAHL和Cochrane数据库的标题、摘要和关键词检索进行范围综述。纳入的研究采用英语，纳入18岁以上的成年人，并报告了至少一个明确的时空步态参数。对性别和性别报告进行了总体报告的一致性和对性别和性别平等报告（SAGER）指南的遵守情况评估。对主要步态参数的研究结果进行总结，共纳入41篇文章；只有6个一致且准确地报告了性别和/或性别。没有人在方法中定义性别。大多数人在他们的研究结果中讨论了先前的性别/性别差异（n = 33, 80.5%），为什么性别/性别是重要的考虑因素，预期的差异（n = 33, 80.5%），以及性别/性别研究结果的潜在含义（n = 38, 92.6%）。本研究强调了步态文献中性别和性别术语的报道不一致，经常混淆，这可能限制了研究人群和结果的清晰度。明确的定义和一致的报告可以支持对性别和性别相关因素对步态文献影响的更细致的理解。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Clinical Biomechanics 医学-工程：生物医学

CiteScore

3.30

自引率

5.60%

发文量

189

审稿时长

12.3 weeks

期刊介绍： Clinical Biomechanics is an international multidisciplinary journal of biomechanics with a focus on medical and clinical applications of new knowledge in the field. The science of biomechanics helps explain the causes of cell, tissue, organ and body system disorders, and supports clinicians in the diagnosis, prognosis and evaluation of treatment methods and technologies. Clinical Biomechanics aims to strengthen the links between laboratory and clinic by publishing cutting-edge biomechanics research which helps to explain the causes of injury and disease, and which provides evidence contributing to improved clinical management. A rigorous peer review system is employed and every attempt is made to process and publish top-quality papers promptly. Clinical Biomechanics explores all facets of body system, organ, tissue and cell biomechanics, with an emphasis on medical and clinical applications of the basic science aspects. The role of basic science is therefore recognized in a medical or clinical context. The readership of the journal closely reflects its multi-disciplinary contents, being a balance of scientists, engineers and clinicians. The contents are in the form of research papers, brief reports, review papers and correspondence, whilst special interest issues and supplements are published from time to time. Disciplines covered include biomechanics and mechanobiology at all scales, bioengineering and use of tissue engineering and biomaterials for clinical applications, biophysics, as well as biomechanical aspects of medical robotics, ergonomics, physical and occupational therapeutics and rehabilitation.