Do foot posture, deformity, and footwear fit influence physical activity levels in children with Down syndrome? A prospective cohort study

ABSTRACT

Background Foot problems may limit physical activity in children with Down syndrome. This prospective cohort study investigated the association of foot posture, deformity, and footwear fit with activity.

Method Foot posture of 50 children with Down syndrome (22 girls, 28 boys; M age = 10.5 years) was assessed using the arch index and deformities were documented. Footwear fit compared the difference in length and width of shoes with participants’ feet. Physical activity was measured using accelerometers.

Results Mean arch index (0.29 ± 0.08) was indicative of flat feet. Footwear fit was too short for five participants, too long for 26 participants, and too narrow for 29 participants. Regression analysis for the 20 participants adherent with wearing an accelerometer found no association of foot posture or deformity with activity. Footwear fit was negatively associated with activity (p = .03).

Conclusion Preliminary data suggest poor footwear fit is associated with reduced physical activity in children with Down syndrome.

KEYWORDS:

• trisomy 21
• shoes
• accelerometer

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the contributions of all the participants and their families. We also acknowledge Maria Auhl (Research assistant), Jade Tan (Research fellow) and Kirsty-Buhlert Smith for their assistance in data collection and data entry, and staff of the Health Sciences Clinic at La Trobe University for the use of facilities.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Lower Extremity and Gait Studies Program at La Trobe University.