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Investigating the effect of retro walking on balance in adults with Down’s syndrome (Bachelor thesis)

Κασαπλέρη, Βικτώρια/ Kasapleri, Viktoria

Down syndrome (DS) is caused by trisomy 21, meaning the presence of an extra chromosome in the cells of affected individuals. People with DS are characterized by deficits in balance and postural stability. Since balance and gait ability are fundamental aspects of mobility, a high frequency of balance and gait issues is expected in this population. Backward walking offers benefits in improving mobility, while also contributing to changes in posture and walking pattern. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of backward walking on balance in adults with Down syndrome. The study included 7 male participants with DS, aged 40.5 ± 9.53 years, who were beneficiaries of the “axí-ZO” Association for People with Disabilities in the Rhodope region. Participation in the intervention program was approved through a signed consent form from the participants' parents and the head of the facility. The intervention program lasted six weeks and consisted of a total of 12 sessions, each lasting 30 minutes. Each session began with a 10-minute warm-up focusing on lower limb stretching, followed by 20 minutes of backward walking. To assess static balance, the “Single Leg Stance test” on both right and left supporting leg and the “Functional Reach test” were used, while the “Timed Up and Go test” was used to evaluate dynamic balance. Pre- and post-intervention measurements were conducted to determine the participants’ balance abilities. Data analysis using the parametric Paired Samples T-test revealed statistically significant differences between the initial and final measurements in performance on the right leg support in the Single Leg Stance test (p-value = 0.036 < 0.05) and in the Functional Reach test (p-value = 0.035 < 0.05), in contrast with the left leg support (p-value = 0.093 > 0.05). Statistically significant differences were also found in the mean scores of the Timed Up and Go test (p-value = 0.006 < 0.05). In conclusion, the static and dynamic balance of individuals with Down syndrome improved through participation in the backward walking intervention program. It is recommended that backward walking be included in their exercise routines, with particular focus on strengthening support on the non-dominant leg. Future studies with larger sample sizes and longer intervention periods could further validate these findings.