| A study suggests that starting a Down syndrome | | | | on the treadmill," said Professor Dale Ulrich of the |
| infant on a treadmill for mere minutes a day can help | | | | University of Michigan Division of Kinesiology and |
| them walk four to five months earlier as opposed to | | | | principal investigator on the treadmill training project. |
| only receiving traditional physical therapy. Also, the | | | | The parents began their infant with low intensity |
| study determined that an infant with Down | | | | training, but once the infant could take 10, 20 and 30 |
| syndrome may walk sooner if their treadmill walk is | | | | steps per minute, the intensity was increased for half |
| at a high intensity. | | | | of the infant participants. The high intensity |
| Infants that are typically developed learn to walk on | | | | participants experienced increased belt speed and |
| their own at around 12 months, but Down syndrome | | | | duration time. Also light weights were added to the |
| infants have a significant delay. They usually walk on | | | | infant's ankles. The intensity level was specific to |
| their own between 24 to 28 months. | | | | each child. |
| Important to mental and physical growth, walking | | | | The study entitled, "The Effects of Intensity of |
| allows us to explore our environment. With infants, | | | | Treadmill Training on Developmental Outcomes and |
| walking is critical because locomotive skills help them | | | | Stepping in Infants with Down Syndrome" concluded |
| learn other skills such as social and motor skills and | | | | that the infants that walked on the treadmill at higher |
| spatial cognition and perception. | | | | intensity increased their stepping significantly. These |
| The study had 30 infant participants. They were | | | | participants also met most of the motor milestones |
| randomly assigned low intensity or high intensity | | | | at an earlier mean age. |
| treadmill training. The training was done at home with | | | | These study results supported an earlier study on |
| the infant's parents. During the study, the infants | | | | Down syndrome infants using a treadmill for walking |
| maintained their everyday physical treatment. | | | | advancement. With the study's results, there is hope |
| "Initially, all parents worked with their infants on the | | | | that Down syndrome support organizations and |
| treadmill for eight minutes a day, five days a week. | | | | hospitals may rent treadmills to parents who can't |
| The parent sat on a bench that straddled the | | | | afford the equipment. |
| treadmill and held the infant as the child took steps | | | | |