Effect of Kinematic Analysis on the Gait of School-Going Children With Different Types of Foot Arches: An Observational Study Using Xsens 3D Motion Technology

Background Gait mechanics can be influenced by foot structure, particularly in children with different types of arches, such as normal arches, flat feet, and high arches. Understanding how foot structure affects gait is essential for developing targeted interventions to improve walking efficiency and reduce injury risk. This observational study uses Xsens 3D motion technology (Xsens Technologies B.V., Netherlands) to analyze the impact of different foot arches on gait in school-going children. Objective The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of foot arch types on gait variables, such as speed, step length, cadence, and gait phases, in school-going children, using advanced kinematic analysis. Methods A total of 558 children were classified into three groups based on their foot arch type: normal arch, flat foot, and high arch. Kinematic data was collected using Xsens 3D motion technology to analyze gait variables. One-way ANOVA was used to compare continuous variables (age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI)) between the groups, while the chi-square test was used for categorical variables (gender). Gait variables were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test. Results No significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of age, height, weight, BMI, or gender (p > 0.05). However, significant differences were found in all gait variables (p < 0.0001). Flat-footed individuals exhibited the highest walking speed (1.03 m/s), step count (34.01 steps/min), and step length (7.50 m), while high-arch participants demonstrated slower speeds (0.96 m/s) and wider step width (-0.16 m). High-arch individuals also spent more time in the double and single support phases, indicating a need for increased balance during gait. Conclusion Foot arch type significantly affects gait mechanics in school-going children. Children with flat feet exhibit faster gait speeds and longer step lengths, while those with high arches demonstrate slower, more cautious walking patterns. These results highlight the importance of individualized interventions, such as orthotics or gait training, to optimize walking efficiency and reduce the risk of gait-related issues in children with abnormal foot arches.