Study examines foot structure in boys with Down syndrome
Down syndrome is a genetic condition that affects muscle strength, coordination skills, posture, balance, etc.
Since people with Down syndrome frequently have foot structure problems, they’re typically unable to take part in many physical activities involving jumping or running.
As a result, people affected by the condition are at risk of gaining excessive weight that causes further changes in the structure of their feet.
The authors of this study aimed to analyse selected features of the foot structure in boys with Down syndrome and compared it to boys their age without the condition.
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The study included 30 boys with Down syndrome attending the Special Purpose School and Education Centre in Mrowla, the Special Purpose School and Education Centre in Ropczyce and UNICEF Special Schools Complex in Rzeszow (Poland).
The boys’ feet were measured in addition to their body masses and heights.
The results of the study revealed that boys with Down syndrome have shorter and narrower feet as compared to boys their age without the condition.
Their feet also had lower arches as compared to non-Down syndrome feet; this could be due to problems in the functioning of the muscles and ligaments along with excess weight gain.
Based on these findings, the authors recommend specialised treatment programmes for children and adolescents with Down syndrome.
Such programmes need to include exercises that focus on increasing muscle strength around the foot joints in addition to foot orthotics and proper footwear.
It is also necessary to constantly monitor the state of their feet so that treatment programmes can be modified accordingly.
To read the full study, please click here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5585551/pdf/BMRI2017-7047468.pdf
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