A systematic review on biomechanical characteristics of walking in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity: Possible implications for the development of musculoskeletal disorders.

Abstract

It is known that obesity is associated with biomechanical alterations during locomotor tasks, which is considered a potential risk factor for the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSKD). However, the association of obesity with biomechanical alterations of walking in the early stages of life have not yet been systematically reviewed. Thus, this review aims to summarize the biomechanical characteristics of walking in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity (OW/OB) versus their normal-weight (NW) counterparts. PubMed and Web of Science were systematically searched until November 2018. We found strong and moderate evidence supporting biomechanical differences in the gait pattern of OW/OB with respect to NW. Based on strong evidence, the gait patterns of OW/OB present greater pelvis transversal plane motion, higher hip internal rotation, higher hip flexion, extension and abduction moments and power generation/absorption, greater knee abduction/adduction motion, and higher knee abduction/adduction moments and power generation/absorption. Based on moderate evidence, OW/OB walk with greater step width, longer stance phase, higher tibiofemoral contact forces, higher ankle plantarflexion moments and power generation, and greater gastrocnemius and soleus activation/forces. These biomechanical alterations during walking in OW/OB could play a major role in the onset and progression of MSKD.