Gait is a relevant and complex aspect of motor functioning. Disturbances are related to negative health outcomes. Gait characteristics of 31 adults with intellectual disability (ID) without Down syndrome (DS) (42.77616.70 years) were investigated, and associations with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and level of ID were assessed. Sex and BMI were significantly associated with some of the gait parameters, while age and level of ID were not. Gait characteristics of adults with ID seem to be comparable to those of the general population of older adults (average 20 years older), except that adults with ID seem to spend less time in stance and double support phase and walk more variable and with a broader base of support.

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doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-123.3.283, hdl.handle.net/1765/109071
American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Oppewal, A., Festen, D., & Hilgenkamp, T. (2018). Gait characteristics of adults with intellectual disability. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Vol. 123, pp. 283–299). doi:10.1352/1944-7558-123.3.283