Effects of Backward Walking Training with Task Orientation on the Functional Gait of Children with Spastic Hemiplegia

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of backward walking training with task orientation on the functional walking ability of children with cerebral palsy.METHODS: This study was a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial with a crossover design conducted at a single rehabilitation facility with cross-over to the other intervention arm following a two-week break. For a total of 12 children with spastic hemiplegia cerebral palsy, the forward walking training group (n=6) underwent training three times a week for three weeks, 40 minutes a day, and the backward walking training group (n=6) was also trained under the same conditions. To identify the functional walking ability, variables, such as the walking speed, stride length, and step length, were measured using a walk analyzer (OptoGait, Microgate S.r.l, Italy).RESULTS: Both groups showed significant increases in walking speed, stride length, and step length (p<0.01). The backward walking group showed more significant improvement in the walking speed from pre- to post-test (p<0.05). The gait characteristics were similar in the two groups (stride length and step length) but the walking speed in the backward walking group showed a mean difference between the positive effects higher than the forward walking group.CONCLUSION: Task-oriented backward walking training, which was conducted on the ground, may be a more effective treatment approach for improving the walking functions of spastic hemiplegia children than forward walk training.

Diferencias de metas deportivas entre estudiantes de educación física y deportistas: análisis de la invarianza del modelo entre ellos / Differences of Sport Goals between Students of Physical Education and Sportsmen: Analysis of the Invariance of Model among them

El objetivo de este estudio es averiguar si hay diferencias en las metas deportivas en función de que la actividad física se realice en contextos escolares o de competiciones deportivas. Participan 574 estudiantes de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria, entre los 11 y 17 años, y 511 deportistas, entre los 16 y 45 años, quienes responden al Cuestionario de Orientación a la Tarea y al Ego en el Deporte. Los resultados permiten confirmar el modelo teórico y muestran que, tanto en las orientaciones de meta a la tarea y al ego, las puntuaciones medias resultan más elevadas en el caso de los deportistas. Mediante análisis factorial confirmatorio multigrupo se encuentran algunas diferencias relevantes que son discutidas.

The purpose of this study is to determine if there are differences in the function of sports goals whether the physical activity is done in school settings or competitions. Five hundred and seventy-four students of Obligatory Secondary Education took part on this study, aged between 11 and 17, and 511 athletes, aged between 16 and 45 years, who answer to the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire. The results confirm the theoretical model and show that the average scores are higher in the case of athletes, in both cases goal orientations to the task and ego. Through a confirmatory multi group factorial analysis some relevant differences are found that have been discussed.