Acute Bouts of Assisted Cycling Improves Cognitive and Upper Extremity Movement Functions in Adolescents With Down Syndrome

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of 2 modes of exercise on cognitive and upper extremity movement functioning in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). Nine participants randomly completed 3 interventions over 3 consecutive weeks. The interventions were: (a) voluntary cycling (VC), in which participants cycled at their self-selected pedaling rate; (b) assisted cycling (AC), in which the participants' voluntary pedaling rates were augmented with a motor to ensure the maintenance of 80 rpm; and (c) no cycling (NC), in which the participants sat and listened to music. Manual dexterity improved after AC, but not after VC or NC. Measures of cognitive function, including reaction time and cognitive planning, also improved after AC, but not after the other interventions. Future research will try to uncover the mechanisms involved in the behavioral improvements found after an acute bout of assisted cycling in adolescents with DS.

The effects of assisted cycling therapy (ACT) and voluntary cycling on reaction time and measures of executive function in adolescents with Down syndrome

“…In light of previous reports (Ringenbach et al . , ; Holzapfel et al . ), ACT appears to be more beneficial than VC for EF.…”

“…This bicycle has been previously described in more detail (Ringenbach et al . ; Holzapfel et al . ).…”

“…A previous study of the acute effects of ACT on cognitive planning ability, RT and manual dexterity in adolescents with DS has shown that the cardiovascular workload during ACT is of light intensity (<64% of age‐predicted HR max ;) (Ringenbach et al . ). The same was found during an 8 week ACT intervention that produced improvements in cognitive planning ability and manual dexterity in adolescents with DS (Holzapfel et al .…”

“…A reason for the low fitness levels and limited exercise benefits may be low voluntary exercise intensities, movement rates and exercise tolerance (Bell & Bhate ; Barr & Shields ; Ringenbach et al . ; Holzapfel et al . ).…”

“…Limited evidence suggests that it is difficult for persons with DS to improve their fitness through exercise training (Dodd & Shields 2005;Andriolo et al 2010). A reason for the low fitness levels and limited exercise benefits may be low voluntary exercise intensities, movement rates and exercise tolerance (Bell & Bhate 1992;Barr & Shields 2011;Ringenbach et al 2014;Holzapfel et al 2015). (Bell & Bhate 1992).…”