Kinematic analysis of walking movement on a moving belt device at different speeds for kindergarten students

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 University Of Mosul – College of physical Education and Sport Sciences.IRAQ

2 College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Mosul, Iraq

3 ASST.Prof DR of Physical Sport Sciences, University Of Mosul – College of physical Education and Sport Sciences.IRAQ

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the kinematic indicators of the dynamic development of walking movements at progressively increasing speeds in children aged 3,5–4 years. The problem involves discussing children's movement patterns, particularly walking, as an observable and analyzable model that maintains the child's posture, ensures proper gravitational alignment, and facilitates the appropriate positioning of the arms and legs. It also examines the reaction that enables the opposite arm to swing forward in a walking step. Since most studies have not addressed this issue, the researcher took it upon themselves to investigate it.
Data was collected using an electric treadmill, where speed was controlled from 1.1 km/h, increasing by 0.2 km/h increments. Each speed level was maintained for 5 seconds, and the process continued until the transition from walking to running occurred, marking the end of the child's attempt. Additional tools included a Sony video camera (recording at 300 frames per second), a stopwatch, and motion analysis software (Kinova, Dartfish) to suit the nature of the research.
Regarding methodology and procedures, the research sample consisted of 20 children aged 3,5–4 years from Qatar Al-Nada Private Kindergarten, the same population from which the study sample was drawn. The selection was conducted deliberately based on valid walking attempts that met specific conditions set by the researcher, including maintaining walking characteristics across the highest number of speed levels and avoiding premature transitions to running. The following attempts were excluded:

Attempts where the child fell off the electric treadmill.
Attempts where the child transitioned from walking to running too early at high speed.
Attempts where the child stopped due to fear of falling when the speed increased.

The researcher concluded that it is possible to quantitatively assess the dynamic development of walking in children aged 3,5–4 years, as well as qualitatively analyze their walking movement. They recommended considering the quantitative variables of walking at progressively increasing speeds as fundamental criteria for establishing classification standards for walking movement.

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