Article

Infants with Down syndrome (DS) have delayed walking and produce
less-coordinated walking patterns. The aim of this study was to
investigate whether 2 treadmill interventions would have different influences on
the development of joint kinematic patterns in infants with DS. DESIGN: Thirty
infants with DS were randomly assigned to a lower-intensity, generalized (LG)
treadmill training group (LG group) or a higher-intensity, individualized (HI)
treadmill training group (HI group) and trained until walking onset. Twenty-six
participants (13 in each group) completed a 1-year gait follow-up assessment.
METHODS: During the gait follow-up assessment, reflective markers were placed
bilaterally on the participants to measure the kinematic patterns of the hip,
knee, and ankle joints. Both the timing and the magnitude of peak extension and
flexion at the hip, knee, and ankle joints, as well as peak adduction and
abduction at the hip joint, in the 2 groups were compared. RESULTS: Both the LG
group and the HI group showed significantly advanced development of joint
kinematics at the gait follow-up. In the HI group, peak ankle plantar flexion
occurred at or before toe-off, and the duration of the forward thigh swing after
toe-off increased. LIMITATIONS: Joint kinematics in the lower extremities were
evaluated in this study. It would be interesting to investigate the effect of
treadmill interventions on kinematic patterns in the trunk and arm movement.
CONCLUSIONS: The timing of peak ankle plantar flexion (before toe-off) in the HI
group implies further benefits from the HI intervention; that is, the HI group
may use mechanical energy transfer better at the end of stance and may show
decreased hip muscle forces and moments during walking. It was concluded that the
HI intervention can accelerate the development of joint kinematic patterns in
infants with DS within 1 year after walking onset.

Langue : ANGLAIS