Effects of two programs of exercise on body composition of adolescents with Down syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of a 12 week aerobic and resistance exercise on body composition of adolescents with Down syndrome. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with 41 adolescents with Down syndrome, aged 15.5±2.7 years, divided into three groups: Aerobic Training Group (ATG; n=16), Resisted Training Group (RTG; n=15) and Control Group (CG; n=10). There were two types of training: aerobic, with intensity of 50-70% of the heart rate reserve 3 times/week, and resisted, with intensity of 12 maximum repetitions 2 times week. Both trainings were applied during a 12-week period. The percentage of fat evaluation was performed using plethysmography with Bod Pod(r) equipment. Waist circumference (WC), body weight and height were also measured. Paired t-test was used to compare variables before and after the exercise program. Results: The percentage of body fat did not change significantly for both groups that participated in the training intervention. However, CG showed a significant increase in this variable (31.3±7.2 versus 34.0±7.9). On the other hand, body mass index (BMI) and WC were significantly reduced for ATG (BMI: 27.0±4.4 and 26.5±4.2; WC: 87.3±11.1 and 86.2±9.7), while RTG and GC showed no differences in these variables. Conclusions: The aerobic and resisted training programs maintained body fat levels. ATG significantly reduced BMI and WC measures. Individuals who did not attend the training intervention increased their percentage of fat.

Evaluation of postural control in children and adolescents with down syndrome aged eight to twelve years old

“…The comparison of PC according to the age was performed stratifying participants into three groups (G1, G2 and G3): G1 (8 -9 years old; n= 8); G2 ( (Figure 1, Figure 2 The present study demonstrated a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in the investigated participants (43% and 14%, respectively), corroborating with previous findings 20,21 . Abnormally high weight at childhood may induce short and long term physical consequences, such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic pain, increased risk of falls, depression, social isolation, persistency of overweight during the adult life and reduction in life expectancy 22,23 .…”

Evidences from Clinical Trials in Down Syndrome: Diet, Exercise and Body Composition

“…Besides, those patients involved in the selected studies had undergone an ID and/or physical exercise. Only the studies highlighting interest in the changes in body composition, through the anthropometric parameters and units of measurement have been included (Tables 2 and 3) [25][26][27][28][29][30]. Body composition (BC); Down syndrome (DS); intervention group (IG); intellectual disability (ID); percentage (%); body mass index (BMI); body fat (BF); body weight (BW); fat-free mass (FFM); lean mass (LM); randomized clinical trial (RCT); waist circumference (WC); not significant (NS); the article includes the analysis of the parameter expressed in its correspondent units (YES); the article does not include the analysis of the parameter (NO); not specified (NE); minutes (min); week (wk); day (d); kilocalorie (Kcal).…”

Impacts of low or vigorous levels of physical activity on body composition, hemodynamics and autonomic modulation in Down syndrome subjects

“…In DS patients, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has been clearly demonstrated in different research works 28 . This fact can be partially explained due to the sedentary state attested among this population 29 . Both sedentary state and overweight have been correlated with autonomic control imbalance, strongly promoting cardiovascular diseases and pathologies 30 .…”

“…Both sedentary state and overweight have been correlated with autonomic control imbalance, strongly promoting cardiovascular diseases and pathologies 30 . Previous studies have suggested that the abnormal autonomic function and hemodynamics in obesity are related to hyperinsulinemia 29,31 .…”