Smartphone Use Affects Spatio-Temporal Gait Parameters but Not Gait Symmetry in Young Adults Walking Outdoors

El uso de smartphones afecta los parámetros espaciotemporales de la marcha, pero no la simetría, en adultos jóvenes que caminan al aire libre

Published 2025-06-18

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Vol. 7 No. 2 (2025)
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Research Article
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Suárez M, Casablanca M, Frisoli M, Querubín Pereyra PL, Grigolatto J, Zapata D, et al. Smartphone Use Affects Spatio-Temporal Gait Parameters but Not Gait Symmetry in Young Adults Walking Outdoors. Rev. Investig. Innov. Cienc. Salud [Internet]. 2025 Jun. 18 [cited 2025 Jun. 20];7(2):1-17. Available from: https://riics.info/index.php/RCMC/article/view/392
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https://doi.org/10.46634/riics.392
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Martín Suárez
Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos image/svg+xml
Roles:  
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0217-5877
María Casablanca
Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos image/svg+xml
Roles:  
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8134-0123
Melisa Frisoli
Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos image/svg+xml
Roles:  
Perfil Google Scholar
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2478-516X
Pablo Luciano Querubín Pereyra
Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos image/svg+xml
Roles:  
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5696-9586
Juan Grigolatto
Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos image/svg+xml
Roles:  
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0768-4774
Show authors biography

Martín Suárez,

School of Engineering; National University of Entre Rios; Oro Verde; Argentina.

María Casablanca,

School of Engineering; National University of Entre Rios; Oro Verde; Argentina.

Melisa Frisoli,

Human Movement Research Laboratory; School of Engineering; National University of Entre Rios; Oro Verde; Argentina.

Pablo Luciano Querubín Pereyra,

School of Engineering; National University of Entre Rios; Oro Verde; Argentina.

Juan Grigolatto,

School of Engineering; National University of Entre Rios; Oro Verde; Argentina.

Daniel Zapata,

School of Engineering; National University of Entre Rios; Oro Verde; Argentina.

Paola Catalfamo Formento,

Human Movement Research Laboratory; School of Engineering; National University of Entre Rios; Oro Verde; Argentina.

Introduction. Smartphones have become essential tools in daily life. Research has shown that some spatio-temporal parameters of gait are affected when using smartphones. However, most of the research has been conducted indoors, in controlled environments.

Objective. To study the impact of smartphone use on gait spatio-temporal parameters and symmetry in young adults walking outdoors.

Method. Videos of 35 healthy young adults (14 women, aged 18–28 years) were recorded in an outdoor pathway under two walking conditions: habitual walking and walking while texting on a smartphone using both hands. The videos were analyzed to calculate spatio-temporal parameters and symmetry.

Results. The results showed that during walking while texting, participants walked at a lower speed (P < 0.0001), with a longer cycle time (P < 0.0001), step time (P < 0.0001), and stance time (P < 0.0001) compared to habitual walking. However, the symmetry between lower limbs showed no differences for any of the analyzed parameters (P > 0.05).

Conclusion. Smartphone use while walking affects gait spatio-temporal parameters, leading to reduced walking speed and adjusted temporal variables. However, gait symmetry between lower limbs is preserved. These changes might aim to enhance stability and balance, improving pedestrian safety under divided attention.

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