Effects of a 12‐week telehealth exercise intervention on gait speed and gait deviations in adults with Down syndrome

Abstract

BackgroundAltered gait patterns and reduced walking speed are commonly reported in adults with Down syndrome (DS). Research on the effects of DS‐specific exercise programmes on adults with DS is lacking. The purpose of this quasi‐experimental study was to evaluate the changes in gait deviations and walking speed in adults with DS after a DS‐specific exercise programme.MethodsTwenty participants underwent a 12‐week, DS‐specific exercise programme in a telehealth format. Before and after the intervention, gait deviations were assessed with the Ranchos Los Amigos Observational Gait Analysis form, and comfortable walking speed was evaluated with the 4‐m walk test.ResultsWe observed increased comfortable walking speed and reduced gait deviations in the whole gait cycle in adults with DS after the intervention. There were fewer gait deviations during single‐leg stance and swing‐limb advancement and at the hip, knee and ankle joints after the 12‐week exercise programme.ConclusionsGait speed and observable gait impairments in adults with DS significantly improved following a 12‐week telehealth exercise programme.