Are Gait Biomechanics Related to Physical Activity Engagement? An Examination of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study has two purposes: first, to compare total body mechanical work between adolescents with ASD and neurotypical age-, sex-, and body mass index–matched controls, and second to determine whether gait biomechanics are significantly related to engagement in PA. Methods Twenty-five adolescents (age, 13–18 yr) with ASD and 17 neurotypical controls (eight with ASD had no match) participated in the study. Three-dimensional motion capture and force platforms were used to record and analyze gait biomechanics at self-selected speeds and a standardized 1.3 m·s−1. Total body mechanical work (sum of joint works across lower extremity, low back, torso, and shoulders) was compared between groups (n = 17 for each) and speeds using a mixed model analysis of variance. Average daily light PA, moderate to vigorous PA, and total PA was recorded for the entire data set with ASD using triaxial accelerometers worn for 1 wk. Regression analyses were performed between work, stride time variability, speed, and stride length with each PA variable. Results Adolescents with ASD generated 9% more work compared with the controls (P = 0.016). Speed and stride length were significant regressors of light PA, moderate to vigorous PA, and total PA, explaining greater than 0.20 variance (P
Source: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise - Category: Sports Medicine Tags: APPLIED SCIENCES Source Type: research