title: Effects of treadmill inclination on the gait of children with Down syndrome.
abstract: The goal of this study was to analyze the effects of upward treadmill inclination on the gait of children with Down syndrome (DS). Sixteen children with a mean age 8.43 ± 2.25 years, classified at level I of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and able to walk without personal assistance and/or assistive devices/orthosis were evaluated. Spatial-temporal variables were observed as well as the angular variation of hip, knee and ankle in the sagittal plane, while children walked on the treadmill carried out on 0% and 10% upward inclination. The results showed that children with DS presented changes in spatio-temporal variables (reduced cadence and increased cycle time and swing time) and in angular variables (increased hip, knee and ankle angles at initial contact; increased maximum hip flexion and maximum stance dorsiflexion; and reduced plantarflexion at pre-swing). Treadmill inclination seemed to act positively on the angular and spatio-temporal characteristics of gait in children with DS, demonstrating a possible benefit from the use of this type of surface in the gait rehabilitation of this population.
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Av Senador Salgado Filho, 3000 Post Office Box 1524, Zip Code 59072-970, Brazil. tatalucena@gmail.com
authors: Thayse L M
authors: TL
authors: Rodenbusch
authors: Tatiana S
authors: TS
authors: Ribeiro
authors: Camila R
authors: CR
authors: Simão
authors: Heloisa M J S
authors: HM
authors: Britto
authors: Eloisa
authors: E
authors: Tudella
authors: Ana R
authors: AR
authors: Lindquist
mesh_terms: D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002648:Child; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*