Resumo Introdução: A Síndrome de Down (SD) é uma alteração genética caracterizada principalmente pela frouxidão ligamentar e hipotonia. Os lactentes portadores dessa síndrome possuem atraso motor significativo, incluindo no engatinhar. Para alcançar este marco motor, é necessário controle postural, controle de cabeça e pescoço na posição prona. Buscando evitar as sinergias musculares atípicas e facilitar a execução de atividades funcionais, o Conceito Bobath permite estimular as transferências de peso, promovendo aquisições motoras nas posturas de prono, supino, sentado e em pé. Objetivo: Avaliar e comparar o engatinhar antes e após a intervenção através do Conceito Bobath em lactentes com SD. Método: Foi realizado um estudo longitudinal, prospectivo, avaliativo e intervencionista. A amostra foi composta por 4 lactentes de 7 a 24 meses com diagnóstico de SD. Foram realizadas 3 etapas de tratamento: avaliação através da escala AIMS; intervenção à curto prazo através do Conceito Bobath; e reavaliação pela mesma escala citada anteriormente. Resultados: Ao realizar a análise estatística não foi observada diferença significativa no pré e pós-tratamento (t: -3.1705, p: 0,0504). Entretanto, nos resultados obtidos por meio da avaliação e reavaliação, foi observado que houve progressão das atividades dos lactentes, sendo o maior progresso obtido na postura prono. O lactente 4 foi o que obteve resultado mais satisfatório, em percentis, tanto na posição prona (evoluindo 9,5%), quanto no geral (evoluindo 22,4%). Conclusão: Os lactentes submetidos à intervenção com o Conceito Bobath obtiveram evolução no desenvolvimento motor, quando comparados antes e após terapia.

Abstract Introduction: Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder characterized mainly by ligament laxity and hypotonia. Infants with this syndrome have substantial motor retardation also with crawling. To reach this motor milestone, postural control and head and neck control in the prone position are necessary. Seeking to avoid atypical muscular synergies and facilitate the execution of functional activities, the Bobath Concept aims to stimulate weight transfers, promoting motor acquisitions in the prone, supine, sitting and standing positions. Objective: To evaluate and compare crawling before and after the intervention through the Bobath Concept method in infants with DS. Method: A longitudinal, prospective, evaluative and interventional study was carried out. The sample was composed of 4 infants with DS, aged 7 to 24 months. There were three stages of treatment: evaluation in accordance with the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS); short term intervention by the Bobath Concept; and re-evaluation using the same scale. Results: According to statistical analysis, there was no significant difference between pre- and post-treatment (t -3.1705, p=0.0504). However, the results obtained by evaluation and reevaluation, showed progress in infants’ activity, the greatest progress being in the prone position. Infant 4 had the most satisfactory result, in percentage, as much as in the prone position (evolving 9.5%), as in general (evolving 22.4%). Conclusion: Infants submitted to intervention with the Bobath Concept obtained evolution in motor development, when comparing before and after therapy.

BACKGROUND: Infants with Down syndrome present with organic and neurological changes that may lead to a delay in the acquisition of motor skills such as kicking, a fundamental skill that is a precursor of gait and is influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Therefore, this movement should be taken into account in early physical therapy interventions in infants. OBJECTIVE: To analyze and to compare the effect of additional weight on the frequency of kicks in infants with Down syndrome and infants with typical development at 3 and 4 months of age. METHOD: Five infants with Down syndrome and five with typical development at 3 and 4 months of age were filmed. The experiment was divided into four experimental conditions lasting 1 minute each: training, baseline, weight (addition of ankle weight with 1/3 the weight of the lower limb), and post-weight. RESULTS: There were significant differences between groups for all variables (p<0.05), with lower frequencies observed for infants with Down syndrome in all variables. There were significant differences between the experimental conditions baseline and post-weight (p<0.001) for both groups in the frequency of contact and success, with a higher frequency in the post-weight condition. CONCLUSIONS: The weight acted as an important stimulus for both groups, directing the kicks toward the target and improving the infants' performance in the task through repetition, however, the infants with Down syndrome had lower frequencies of kicks.

INTRODUÇÃO: O objetivo do estudo foi analisar e comparar padrões de chutes com e sem peso adicional em lactentes pré-termo e de termo aos 3 e 4 meses de idade. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram filmados 26 lactentes aos 3 e 4 meses de idade, divididos em Grupo Experimental, 12 lactentes pré-termo sem idade corrigida; e Grupo Controle, 14 lactentes de termo. O experimento foi subdividido em quatro condições, a saber: 1) Treinamento (T): o pesquisador tocava os pés dos lactentes no painel, elevando-o; 2) Linha de Base (LB): movimentos livres de chutes, podendo o lactente elevar ou não o painel com os pés; 3) Peso (P): acréscimo de tornozeleira pesando 1/3 da massa do membro inferior; 4) Pós-Peso (PP): idêntica à LB. RESULTADOS: Na variável frequência de chutes, constatou-se diferença entre as idades [F(5,72) = 5,620; p = 0,0035] e entre as condições LB-P (p = 0,023) e P-PP (p < 0,001). Na variável frequência de contato, obteve-se diferença entre as condições LB-P (p = 0,002) e P-PP (p < 0,001). Na variável sucesso ao elevar o painel, constatou-se diferença entre os grupos (x²(1) = 4,341; p = 0,0013) e as condições LB-P (p = 0,003), LB-PP (p = 0,002) e P-PP (p = 0,002) aos 3 meses de idade. Na variável duração de chute, constatou-se diferença entre as condições LB-P (p = 0,023) e P-PP (p = 0,010). CONCLUSÃO Os chutes de lactentes pré-termo se diferenciam dos termos dependendo das características intrínsecas e extrínsecas.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze and compare patterns of kicks with and without additional weight in preterm and full-term infants of 3 and 4 months old. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six infants were filmed at 3 and 4 months of age, divided into experimental group, 12 preterm infants without corrected age, and control group, 14 infants full-term. The experiment was subdivided into four conditions, namely: 1) Training (T): the investigator touched the infants' feet on the panel, raising it; 2) Baseline (B): free movements of kicks, the infant may raise or not the panel with feet, 3) Weight (W): addition of anklet weighing 1/3 the mass of lower limb, 4) Post-weight (PW): identical to B. RESULTS: Difference was found in the variable frequency of kicks, considering ages [F (5,72) = 5.620, p = 0.0035] and conditions B-W (p = 0.023) and W-PW (p < 0.001). In the variable frequency of contact difference was obtained considering conditions B-W (p = 0.002) and W-PW (p < 0.001). In the variable success in raising the panel, difference was found between groups (x²(1) = 4.341, p = 0.0013) and conditions B-W (p = 0.003), B-W (p = 0.002) and W-PW (p = 0.002) at 3 months of age. The variable length of the kick presented a difference between conditions B-W (p = 0.023) and W-PW (p = 0.010). CONCLUSION: The kicks of preterm infants differ depending on the intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics.