Analysis of Running Gait in Children with Cerebral Palsy: Barefoot vs. a New Ankle Foot Orthosis

Running is an essential activity for children with cerebral palsy (CP). This study aims to characterize the locomotor pattern of running in hemiplegic children with new generation ankle foot orthosis (AFOs) conceived to foster intense motor activities such as running. A group of 18 children with spastic hemiplegia was recruited. A biomechanical multivariable comparison was made between barefoot and with AFO running trials. The focus was devoted to bilateral sagittal plane hip, knee, ankle kinematics and kinetics, and three-dimensional ground reaction forces. Wearing the orthoses, the children were found to reduce cadence and the duration of the stance phase as well as increase the step and stride length. The new AFO resulted in significant changes in kinematics of affected ankle both at initial contact 0–3% GC (p < 0.017) and during the entire swing phase 31–100%GC (p < 0.001) being the ankle more dorsiflexed with AFO compared to barefoot condition. Ankle power was found to differ significantly both in absorption and generation 5–10%GC (p < 0.001); 21–27%GC (p < 0.001) with a reduction in both cases when the AFO was worn. No statistical differences were recorded in the GRF components, in the affected ankle torque and hip and knee kinematics and kinetics.