Relationship between body sway and walking parameters in preschool children

To clarify the relationship between body sway and walking abilities in preschool children, body sway measurement and gait analysis were performed, involving 45 preschoolers (16 males and 29 females). When walking at a normal speed, both the total trajectory length and outer peripheral area as body sway indices were significantly correlated with 3 parameters: the cadence (total trajectory length: -0.421 and outer peripheral area: -0.347), length of the stance phase (0.474 and 0.426), and length of the double support phase (0.398 and 0.346). When walking at the maximum speed, both of them were significantly correlated with 4 parameters: the gait speed (-0.469 and -0.382), cadence (-0.388 and -0.351), length of the stance phase (0.489 and 0.569), and length of the double support phase (0.556 and 0.653). The results revealed a strong correlation between body sway and gait during the preschool period, highlighting the importance of evaluating postural control in preschool children using body sway meters. The feasibility of effectively promoting their physical activities, such as gait, as part of developmental support by enhancing their postural control was also suggested.