Center of Mass Movement of Preschooler During Obstacle-Crossing Walking

Obstacle-crossing walking (OW) activated a specify compensation strategy in motion, which was indicator to children's development. Therefore, we aimed to comprehend features of center of mass (COM) of preschooler crossing over obstacles, so as to explicit their compensation strategies in motion. The COM of ten healthy preschoolers aged 3-6 and nine adults were recruited and their straight and obstacle-crossing walking was measured by Codamotion system, where four markers being set on the pelvis. Trajectory, range of motion (ROM) and Time to peak value (TPV) of COM were calculated and used for further analysis. One sample T test was applied to explore the distinctions between preschoolers and adults. Significant group differences were found in medio-lateral (M/L) and vertical motion of the COM. Preschoolers demonstrated significantly greater motion of the COM when crossing obstacle, and their TPV advanced in both sagittal and coronal planes, which indicates efforts made by them to finish the task and maintain balance. Overall, distinctions found between preschoolers and adults demonstrated compensative strategies in motion of those children required further development to the level of adult-like style.