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SUMMARY The gait of seven hypotonic schizophrenic children aged between five and eight years was compared with that of seven normal children aged between seven and eight years. Electromyographic studies revealed that in schizophrenic children the tibialis anterior was ‘on’ during a significantly smaller proportion of the stance phase than in the age-matched controls, and that the quadriceps muscle was ‘on’ during a significantly smaller proportion of the swing phase than in the controls. In addition, the gait of the schizophrenic children tended to be broad-based and slow, consisting of smaller steps in a longer pace period. In general, the gait of the schizophrenic children resembled that of younger, inexperienced walkers. RESUME La demarche des enfants schizophrenes hypotoniques La demarche de sept schizophrenes hypotoniques âges de cing a huit ans a ete comparee a celle de sept enfants normaux de sept-huit ans. Les etudes electromyographiques ont montre que chez les schizophrenes, le jambier antetieur etait “en activite” durant une part significativement plus courte du temps portant que chez les controles de meme âge et que le muscle quadriceps etait “en activite” durant une part significativement plus courte du temps de balancement que chez les controles. De plus, la demarche des schizophrenes reposait sur une base elargie, etait lente, fait de pas plus courts et d'une periode plus longue que chez les controles. En general, la demarche des enfants schizophrenes ressemble a celle de jeunes marcheurs inexperimentes. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Der Gang hypotoner, schizophrener Kinder Man hat den Gang von sieben hypotonen, schizophrenen Kindern im Alter von funf bis acht Jahren mit dem von sieben gesunden Kindern im Alter von sieben bis acht Jahren verglichen. Elektromyographische Untersuchungen ergaben, das bei den schizophrenen Kindern der M. anterior tibialis in der Haltephase und der M. quadriceps in der Schwungphase signifikant weniger aktiv war als bei den altersentsprechenden Kontrollkindern. Der Gang der schizophrenen Kinder tendierte dazu, breitflachig und langsam zu sein, mit kleineren Schritten in groseren Zeitabstanden, als bei den Kontrollen. Im allgemeinen ahnelte der Gang schizophrener Kinder dem kleiner Kinder, die gerade laufen lernen. RESUMEN La marcha del nino hopotonico esquizofrenico Se comparo la marcha de siete ninos hipotonicos esquizofrenicos de cinco a ocho anos de edad con la de siete ninos normales de siete a ocho anos de edad. Los estudios electromiograficos mostraron que en los ninos esquizofrenicos el tibial anterior funcionaba durante una proporcion significativamente menor de la fase estatica que en el grupo correspondiente control y que el cuadriceps durante una proporcion menor de la fase de balanceo con respecto a los controles. Ademas la marcha de los ninos esquizofrenicos tendia a un aumento de la base de sustentacion y era lenta, y consistia en pasos mas pequenos con un periodo de paso mas largo que el de los grupos control. En general, la marcha de los ninos esquizofrenicos se parecia a la de los caminadores jovenes sin experiencia.

Fifty-one children with cerebral palsy who were candidates for surgery for equinovarus deformities of the foot had their gait evaluated by means of foot-switches and electromyography to determine the contribution of the anterior tibialis and posterior tibialis muscles to the deformity. Seven EMG patterns and five foot-switch patterns were identified, but there was no correlation between the EMG and foot-switch patterns. Foot-switch data alone could not identify the deforming muscles or their patterns, so are not adequate for planning surgical correction of varus feet of children with cerebral palsy.

The relationship between patterns of strength and mobility was studied in 291 children with myelomeningocele, graded as community ambulators, partial (household) ambulators and nonambulators. Iliopsoas strength was found to be the best predictor of ambulation, with the quadriceps, anterior tibialis and glutei also contributing significantly. Grade 0 to 3 iliopsoas strength was always associated with partial or complete reliance on a wheelchair. No patient with grade 4 to 5 iliopsoas and quadriceps function relied completely on wheelchairs and the majority were community ambulators. Grade 4 to 5 gluteal and anterior tibialis function was associated with community ambulation, without aids or braces. Deterioration in mobility was most common in those with strong iliopsoas/quadriceps and grade 0 to 3 gluteus medius, and was not age-related.