A Study on the Intersection of Ground Reaction Forces during Overground Walking in Down Syndrome : Effects of the Pathology and Left–Right Asymmetry

GND
1258302209
Affiliation
Institute of Sport Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07749 Jena, Germany
Vielemeyer, Johanna;
Affiliation
Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
Sole, Cristina;
ORCID
0000-0003-2772-4837
Affiliation
Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
Galli, Manuela;
ORCID
0000-0002-0649-3665
Affiliation
Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
Zago, Matteo;
ORCID
0000-0002-4688-1515
Affiliation
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Klinikum Bayreuth GmbH, 95445 Bayreuth, Germany
Müller, Roy;
Affiliation
IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana Hospital, Tosinvest Sanità, 00163 Roma, Italy
Condoluci, Claudia

Motor dysfunctions in patients with Down Syndrome (DS) result in poor locomotion and an altered gait phenotype, characterized by compromised stability management and frequent bilateral asymmetries. Directing ground reaction forces to a point above the center of mass, referred to as the virtual pivot point (VPP), is one means of maintaining stability during walking. This cross-sectional observational study compared the dynamic gait function of 33 individuals with DS (mean age: 17.7 ± 6.4 years, 13 females) to a group of 36 healthy controls (mean age: 15.5 ± 6.1 years, 15 females), using the concept of the VPP. Results showed that the VPP was located more anteriorly in individuals with DS compared to healthy controls, with no differences in the variability (R 2 ) or symmetry of VPP coordinates. This anterior VPP position is likely due to the larger hip moments observed in patients with DS during the propulsive phase of stance. High R 2 values in DS suggest that the VPP is strongly related to dynamic stability during walking.

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