Differences in gait parameters between non-disabled and intellectually disabled adults

There is little research available in the literature regarding the gait characteristics of adults with mental retardation (MR), despite this population's high propensity for falling. This study intends to provide a quantitative analysis of their gait patterns during normal walking in an effort to describe differences existing between this population and their non-disabled peers. Walking speed (SP), step length (SL), heel contact velocity (HCV), and required coefficient of friction (RCOF_ke), are used to characterize unobstructed walking patterns. Knee and ankle joint angles are also used to compare postural differences between groups. ANOVA analysis revealed a significantly slower walking speed and significantly shorter step length for the MR group as compared with a group of healthy, age-and gender-matched peers. The MR group was also shown to have a lower RCOF_ke than their healthy peers. By contrast, however, the MR group was found to have a significantly higher heel contact velocity. There were no significant differences between groups for neither the knee or ankle angle at heel contact nor for the maximum knee flexion angle during single stance. The ultimate goal of this study was to indentify differences in gait pattern caused by MR that may be lending to an increased fall rate among the mentally retarded.