Maybe by music?! As I know when one listens to music the heart automatically adjust itself with the bits,  and when the bits are faster automatically the body should be ready for faster movements. You can change the speed of the music with some apps and software. Look at some of the studies on sport and physical exercises for the people with Down Syndrome. There are lots of videos show the experiments done.hope that helps.

Hi

I think one of the alternative way for the speed up the walking is metronome. As Negin mentioned, you can use the two rhythm, for example, one is 50 temp in minute and another 60 temp. Some of the simple equipment is ready for use in this area. This is the simplest, applicable and valid method to control the walking speed.

beside the 2 answers of Mahdi and Negin I think giving a ball that can be kicked continuously as a practice. However, if the subject uses an elastic rope with a belt then it forces the subject to walk faster. 

Dear friends

thanks a lot for your answers.

I think that using a metronome, music or even elastic belt may alter the rhythm or shape of walking pattern compared to normal walking.

The more articles I have read, and I realized that by looking at the speed marker on the part of the body can check the speed of the walking. 

such as normal peoples we can ask from down syndrome people to walk with normal or fast pattern. then we check speed of walking. if it was in expected range it is acceptable otherwise one must repeat the movement.

I agree with the music and metronome; and also offer the suggestion that the participants create their own vocal cadence as they speed up or slow down. There is great delight, hilarity and interconnectivity in sounding movement. This way even more of the whole body is recruited into the effort, resulting in more efficient and articulate movement. Sounding is fascinating as a catalyst for movement as it brings breath; and breath keeps us present. "movement rides on the breath" Martha Graham

I think that with the Narges's method, the patients' own speed may be so variable. You would use a method which you could control rhythm of walking in the acceptable range. There is a trade off between the conscious processing and the time range of walking. You would focus on this issue.

Hi mahdi

thanks for your participation

In my opinion, Adding to speed without additional tools does not seem artificial or variable. We just want people to walk faster without any additional explanation. Then we check the increased speed by speed of marker.but i agree with trade off and i should control this item.

thanks a lot

Yes,

If we accept the trade off, it is more valid to use metronome. for the solution, you would select the rhythm near the favorite speed (mean) of the participants. By this way, you consider largely the trade off between the level of consciousness in gait and the speed range.

Best wished with your project

Your question is really interesting and not easy to answer. I have tried giving exercise classes to groups of patients with Down Syndrome and I have found that you need to keep the pace high yourself.... As long as it is fun to follow, people will 'follow your lead' .

Check some music and standardize by rhythm and speed and use during the various walking tasks that should be led by a non-patient.

Giving all participants a MP3 player thingie and letting them listen to the music as well is probably even better and necessary. My experience has been that you need to keep stimulating the group to let them do what you want. They will use every excuse to stop, especially if you are asking a lot (energy wise).

Kicking a ball is too difficult... I would not suggest using this.

Good luck with your endevour  Esther

Dear Negin and Amy and Esther

thanks for your answers but it seems the pattern of movement changes by using of metronome or music. Variables such as motor coordination and synchronization steps are also affected. But I think I can use headphones to listen to a metronome and approximate the rhythm to my desired rhythm then when the people moved with that speed i will record that trial.

How is this method?

I am not so sure that  patterns of movement with change in this group. Most patients (all ages) with Down Syndrome have hyper-mobile hips .This will mean that  they have a certain pattern of gait and you cannot increase the speed too much,

They also often have orthopaedic issues with their feet. I would certainly consider checking their feet AND shoes carefully before you start :)

Problem will still be that you need to activate, I have tried working with music (not metronome) as well, and it works for a while... but once they tire.... they just stop :)

To increase speed you can either increase step length or frequency. You could use some marks on the floor and tell them not to step on them, and separate them progressively for the first item. For the second one, you could use a metronome to set the step frequency (it is almost automatic to follow, depending on the status of the subject) and accelerate it progressively as well (there are several apps or web sites, as http://webmetronome.com/?t=140&b=8&a=10001000 ).

Hope it is useful!