Parisi, M.C., Francavilla, V.C., Crescimanno, C. & Orofino F. (2020). "Trattamenti rieducativi del piattismo plantare nei soggetti affetti da sindrome di Down [Rehabilitation treatments of plantar flatness in subjects suffering from Down syndrome]". In D'Avanzo, W. (ed.). Mantua Humanistic Studies. Volume X. Mantova: Universitas Studiorum. 225-244

Postural disorders, walking difficulties and static problems due to ligamen- tous laxity and muscular hypotonia, are common condition in children and adults with Down syndrome. These involve flat foot, valgus knees, posterior sacral pivots, forward navel projections, compensatory dorsal hy- percyphosis and cervical hyperlordosis. Our study included 10 subjects, 7 males and 3 females, aged between 7 and 35 years. Preliminary baropodo- metric tests showed different degrees of flatness. We use a protocol of ther- apeutic exercises called “Play of the flat foot rehabilitation” for a period of ten months, three times a week. The protocol consists in 13 game exercises, performing or in the gym or outdoors. The supports used for the exercis- es are both technical instruments (medicine ball, elastic band, Bobath’s platform), and everyday objects such as napkins, straws, shapes of colored paper circles and rubber balls. A baropodometric platform was used to perform the static and dynamic analysis before and after the treatment. The results of the study were truly remarkable; Of the 10 cases examined, 3 subjected showed a partial improvement of the distribution of the load and of the plantar support, with consequent reduction of muscular tension and pain in the loading; in 4 subjected an overall improvement was found, both in the load distribution and in the plantar support, but also in the alignment of the pressure centers. Moreover, there was a reduction in the difference in support surface between the forefoot and the backfoot; in 2 subjects no improvement was measured; 1 subject was used as control. The results show that the “Play of the flat foot rehabilitation” considerably reduced the plantar load, improving walking and postural control.