Background: Atypical gait pattern is one of the most important motor impairments in individuals with Down syndrome. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of functional strength training on gait kinematics, isokinetic peak torque, and static balance of adults with Down syndrome. Methods: Thirteen men with Down syndrome from Iran Down Syndrome Association participated in this study. The kinematics variable, isokinetic peak torque, and static balance were assessed by motion analysis, isokinetic dynamometer, and Standing Stork Test respectively before and after completing the training study. All subjects were allocated to experimental (Mage = 28. 75± 6. 1; n = 7) and control (Mage = 30± 8. 5; n = 6) groups according to their desire to participate, or not, in the training program. The exercise protocol consisted of 6-week functional strength training (treadmill walking and step up/down training) for the experimental group. One-Way ANCOVA Independent test was employed for data analysis. Results: The results revealed that the functional strength training improved step length, walking velocity, ankle and knee ROMs (range of motion in sagittal plane), isokinetic peak torque of lower extremities, and static balance. However, no significant difference occurred in step width and hip ROMs. Conclusions: These findings reinforce previous research showing that taskoriented training with respect to the principle of specificity of training promotes movement patterns in individuals with Down syndrome.

Background: The incidence of a child chronic disease causes high levels of stress and anxiety in the parents and caregivers. This study aimed to investigate the coping strategies of parents with chronic ill children who hospitalized in educational hospitals of Ahvaz-Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study conducted in two hospitals that affiliated to Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in 2016. The total number of respondents was 252 parents (150 mothers and 102 fathers) of 150 children with chronic disease that were selected using convenience sampling. Data collection tools were a self-administered demographic and clinical checklist and standard questionnaire Of Coping Inventory for Stressful Situation (CISS). Data analysis runs using SPSS version 22. 0. Results: The results showed that the dominant strategies of parents who had a child with chronic disease were task-oriented (52. 3%), and emotion-oriented (54%) strategies, respectively. The average score of problem-focused strategy in fathers was (53. 67± 11. 1) and the average score of emotionfocused coping strategy in mothers was (53. 33± 10). Mothers were used emotion oriented and social diversion coping strategies significantly more than fathers. Child gender, child age, and having another ill child were significant variables in correlation with mother’ s distraction; however family economic state was significant variable in correlation with social diversion (P<0. 05). In fathers taskoriented coping strategies were in correlation with child age, disease duration, numbers of hospitalizations, education, job and having another ill child. Emotion oriented coping strategies was in correlation with father’ s age and distraction was in in correlation with father’ s job (P<0. 05). Conclusion: To provide optimal care for families with chronic ill child, assessment of psychological needs and coping strategies of parents is necessary. Moreover, families with lower economic and educational level are prior for further attention.