The relationship between step variability, muscle strength and functional walking performance in children with post-traumatic brain injury.

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between step variability, muscle strength and functional walking performance in children post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) and typically developed (TD) children. A convenience sample of 16 children post-TBI and 16 TD age and sex matched controls participated in this cross sectional study. The main outcome measures included step length and step time variability, measured with an electronic walkway, strength of four lower-extremity muscle groups, tested bilaterally with a hand held dynamometer, walking performance as assessed by the 2-min walk test, energy expenditure index (EEI) and rating of perceived exertion (OMNI scale).