Spatiotemporal gait pattern in children with and without Down Syndrome while walking from level surface to stairs

Children with Down syndrome (DS) display a delayed motor development, and show clumsy and less coordinated gait pattern. Compared to typically developing children (TD), children with DS walk with a notably slower speed, a shorter stride length, a limited range of motion in ankle joint with increased plantar flexion, and reduced dorsal flexion throughout the gait cycle. When negotiating an obstacle, children with DS show shorter stride length and greater step length variability, and stop in front of the obstacle before stepping over it