Firstly, all procedures were explained to the participants.
Evaluation stage: Assessment of balance was performed by the TUG test. This test was determined to be a valid and reliable dynamic balance assessment tool in children with DS. This test measures in seconds the time required for an individual to stand up from a standard chair with armrest (height of approximately 46cm) walk 9 m, turn around, walk back to the chair and sit down again. The verbal command included instructions about velocity such as (walk as fast as possible).For each TUG test in evaluation and re-evaluation stages, three measures are recommended and the final result is the mean value.
Treadmill training stage: Before starting the session, the participants warming up for ten minutes by walk multiple times back and forth across the room [Carmeli et al.2002]. Each participant stand in an upright position with feet flat on the treadmill. The handrails must be height adjusted for every child to be suitable. Because of difficulty for children with DS to report their comfortable walking speed on treadmill, therefore based on the fact that comfortable speed on treadmill are slower than over ground walking. A comfortable speed was selected for all individuals as 75% of their comfortable speed during over ground walking. The …show more content…
The treadmill training protocol in each minute is classified into 15 seconds with both hands on the treadmill handrails, 15 seconds with one hand on the handrail, and 30 seconds without holding onto the treadmill bar. This procedure was repeated twenty times. The time was measured by stop watch. All participant must wear comfortable clothes and sport shoes while practicing. Also, to motivate the participants talk with them about their interests, give verbal and visual encouragement. After the end of session cooling down are done for 5