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Bike riding

Learning to ride a bicycle opens up many opportunities for children to join in social activities with family and friends, and to benefit from physical activity. Children with Down syndrome find learning to ride a bicycle more difficult than typically developing children and the process can be slow and frustrating for all involved. A recent pilot study has demonstrated considerable success from a programme to teach bicycle riding to young people with Down syndrome.

Research

This study will build on the earlier study to both replicate its finding and to evaluate the ongoing health and social benefits for children who learn to ride a bicycle. The study will involve 70 young people with Down syndrome at two locations in the USA. They will be enrolled in teaching programmes and health and social outcomes will be examined.

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Investigators

Partners and advisors

Location

Education

Study results will be published in peer-reviewed scientific publications. Practice implications will be published in periodicals for families and professionals, including Down Syndrome Research and Practice and incorporated into freely available Down Syndrome Topics advice and information summaries and Down Syndrome Issues and Information books. Open Access articles and summaries will be provided for reproduction in the newsletters and journals of associations, support groups and professional societies.

Impact

  • An improved understanding of effective methods for teaching young people with Down syndrome to ride a bicycle
  • Increased numbers of people with Down syndrome learning to ride bicycles
  • Improved health and social interactions for people with Down syndrome

Status

We are seeking funds for this project.

If you would like to support this work, please visit our giving site for details of how you can help or contact giving@downsed.org.

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