Ithaca College

If your child is between 3 and 7 years old, you might be interested in a study looking at the differences between regular walking and toe walking. If you are, the physical therapy department at Ithaca College is planning to conduct a study of children who primarily toe walk to analyze their walking patterns. 

The study will be conducted in the movement analysis lab at the Center of Health Sciences at Ithaca College. Primary toe walkers are children who walk on their toes about 50% of the time or more by parent report (especially with shoes off). The purpose of this study is to help us gather information about walking patterns in children who toe walk. The time commitment for you and your child would be for one session lasting approximately one hour or less. We will compensate you for your time with a small voucher to a local grocery or department store.

Your child will be asked to practice walking across force plates while wearing reflective markers placed on the trunk, shoulders and legs.  The force plates are tiles set in the floor that measure how much force the child produces with each step.  Special cameras pick up the refection of the markers and create a moving “stick figure”. This should not cause your child any discomfort.  The risks associated with this study are the same as everyday walking. You will be asked before the session begins if your child has any allergies to adhesives. All precautions will be taken to avoid tripping while walking.

 Most children find this to be a fun activity and they especially enjoy looking at the walking “stick figure” of themselves.

Participation in this study is voluntary. You or your child are free not to participate and can withdraw from the study at any time and for any reason. You are not required to answer any questions that you are uncomfortable with.

If you would like more information, please contact Dr. Kathy Schlough in the Physical Therapy Department at kschlough@ithaca.edu or at 607-592-7064.