Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
07:27
Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty
Published on: October 6, 2016
Energetic optimization during over-ground walking in people with and without Down syndrome
Stamatis Agiovlasitis1, Robert W Motl, Sushant M Ranadive
1Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, 233 McCarthy Gym, P.O. Box 6186, Mississippi, MS 39762, United States. sagiovlasitis@colled.msstate.edu
Gait & Posture
|March 15, 2011
Summary
Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) walk with higher energy costs. Their preferred walking speed (PWS) minimizes gross energetic cost, suggesting an optimization strategy for altered gait mechanics.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Physiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) exhibit impaired gait stability.
- This instability may elevate metabolic rate (MR) and alter the energetic cost of transport (EC(transport)) during walking.
- It is hypothesized that preferred walking speed (PWS) in DS may align with the speed of minimal EC(transport) for energetic optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in MR and EC(transport) during over-ground walking between individuals with and without DS.
- To determine if PWS corresponds to the speed of minimal EC(transport) in individuals with DS.
Main Methods:
- Collected expired gases from 18 individuals with DS and 18 controls during 6-minute over-ground walking trials.
- Assessed MR and EC(transport) at preferred walking speed (PWS) and five other speeds (0.51-1.51 m/s).
- Calculated dimensionless gross- and net-MR, and gross- and net-EC(transport); determined optimal walking speeds and minimal EC(transport).
Main Results:
- Individuals with DS demonstrated significantly higher gross-MR, net-MR, gross-EC(transport), and net-EC(transport) compared to controls.
- PWS coincided with minimal gross-EC(transport) in individuals with DS, but not in controls.
- PWS did not minimize net-EC(transport) in either group.
Conclusions:
- Over-ground walking is energetically more costly for individuals with DS.
- Minimization of gross energetic cost of transport may dictate PWS in individuals with DS when gait impairments modify the EC(transport)-speed relationship.
