EFFECTS OF LOWER EXTREMITY STRENGTH TRAINING ON GAIT PATTERNS IN OBESE CHILDREN

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of muscle strength training on gait patterns in obese children. This study included 14 obese children who were required to complete 8 week lower extremity strength training. All participants went through a 3D gait analysis and an isokinetic strength test before and after training. With the improvement in muscle strength, walking speed and stride length significantly increased after intervention. Hip flexion moment and hip power generation increased 31.1% and 22.4%, respectively. Hip and knee power absorption also significantly increased. We concluded that the strength training improved obese children’s ability to promote locomotion through greater propulsion. Muscle strength plays an important role in attenuating the negative effects that obesity has on gait characteristics and kinetics.