Differences in spatiotemporal running parameters in children and adolescents: A cross-sectional study

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of age and sex on the spatiotemporal parameters of running in children. A total of 1200 children participated in this study (aged 3-17 years), 501 females and 699 males. Participants were divided into seven age groups: 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years, 11-12 years, 13-14 years and 15-17 years. Participants ran at a comfortable and self-determined speed along a 15-m runway. The OptoGait system recorded speed, cadence and step length (variables that were also normalized in relation to height), running rate, contact phase, and flight phase. No significant sex-age interactions were found, and no significant differences were found between the sexes. Age significantly influenced all the parameters analysed. Children aged 3-6 years show the lowest values of contact time, particularly in initial contact time and toe-off time, compared to the other age groups, which additionally exhibited a higher cadence and shorter step length, even after normalization, in comparison with older children. Participants aged 13-17 years show the highest CV values for cadence and step length. In conclusion, age and running speed had a significant influence on spatiotemporal running parameters.