Dr. Piyush Jain
Dr. Piyush Jain provides pediatric clinical guidance for developmental and neurodevelopmental concerns where appropriate.
Genesis Neurogen Blog
Child Runs Awkwardly or Heavily Compared to Classmates - Is This a Gross Motor Concern?
संक्षेप में: अगर आपका बच्चा दौड़ते समय अजीब तरीके से या भारी पैरों के साथ दौड़ता है, और यह दूसरे बच्चों से साफ अलग दिखता है, तो यह ग्रॉस मोटर समन्वय से जुड़ा संकेत हो सकता है। कई बार यह उम्र के साथ ठीक हो जाता है, लेकिन अगर यह लगातार बना रहे, तो आकलन करवाना सही कदम है।
Short answer: Some variation in running style is normal among young children, but a running pattern that looks noticeably stiff, heavy-footed or uncoordinated compared to same-age peers, especially if it persists over time, can be a sign that gross motor coordination would benefit from a closer look.
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What makes a running pattern look 'different'
Running smoothly brings together balance, coordinated arm-leg movement, and the ability to shift weight quickly from one foot to the other. A child whose gross motor coordination is still developing may run with a flatter, heavier foot strike, stiffer arms, or an overall pattern that looks effortful rather than fluid, even if their walking looks completely typical.
When this is just a developmental stage, and when to pay attention
Running style continues to refine itself through much of early-to-mid childhood, so some awkwardness, especially before age 6 or 7, is common and not usually a concern. It is worth a closer look when the pattern is noticeably different from same-age classmates over an extended period, does not improve with regular physical activity, or comes with other coordination difficulties like frequent tripping. Parents near Vivek Vihar Phase I have told us their child's PE teacher was the first to point out the difference compared to classmates.
What a gross motor assessment looks at
An assessment looks at balance, coordination, strength and how a child's movement pattern compares with typical milestones for their age, to understand whether targeted activities would help. See our note on gross motor skills and coordination therapy for related signs we commonly assess.
Book a gross motor assessment for your child with our gross motor skills and coordination therapy team. Call 7481909090 or message us on WhatsApp to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an awkward running style always a medical concern?
No. Running technique continues to develop through childhood, and some awkwardness is common, especially in younger children. It is worth checking mainly if it persists or stands out clearly compared to peers.
At what age does running style usually become smoother?
Most children develop a more coordinated, efficient running pattern by around age 6 to 7, though individual variation is normal.
Could this be related to flat feet or footwear?
It is possible, and these are often considered alongside coordination during an assessment, rather than assumed as the cause without a closer look.
What kind of activities help with this?
Movement-based play like obstacle courses, ball games and balance activities can help build coordination, often as part of a broader gross motor programme.
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Meet the doctors
Useful context about the Genesis Neurogen doctors, so you can understand the wider clinical practice while reading this article.
Dr. Radha Jain
Dr. Radha Jain is the Senior Consultant Gynecologist & Obstetrician within the wider Genesis Neurogen clinical practice. Her women’s-health services are detailed on the main Genesis Neurogen Delhi website.
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