Health-related physical fitness in children and adolescents with Down syndrome and response to training

Abstract

Physical fitness is related to health at all ages. Information about physical fitness in the Down syndrome (DS) population, however, is scarce, especially when we consider children and adolescents. A review of the current data available on this topic would be both timely and important as it would serve as a starting point to stimulate new research perspectives. The data we reviewed from the literature showed a general trend toward lower values of physical fitness parameters and worse body composition variables in children and adolescents with DS compared with the population without intellectual disability (ID) or even with the population with ID without DS. Notably, children and adolescents with DS have been described as less active or overprotected; however, these factors may not be the cause of their poor physical fitness. Many of the training programs carried out in children and adolescents with DS did not yield the desired responses, and the reasons are still unknown. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current available literature on health-related physical fitness in children and adolescents with DS, and the effect of training on these variables. From the literature available, it is clear that more data on this population are necessary.

Bone mass in male and female children and adolescents with Down syndrome

“…However, only a few of these studies have included children and adolescents with DS [7,8], or specifically examined a pediatric population [10,13], that commonly display lower values of bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) compared with peers without DS. Despite these studies, information concerning bone mass in pediatric population with DS is scarce [14] and should therefore be given greater attention, since low bone mass (osteopenia or osteoporosis) in adulthood may be a direct result of low acquisition during growth.…”

Physical Activity and Body Composition Relate to Cardiorespiratory Fitness Independently in Young Adults with Down Syndrome

“…Combined cardiovascular and strength training did not improve body weight, skinfold measures or BMI [29], while plyometric jump training increased lean mass without a change in percent body fat [16], and aerobic training both decreased fat mass and increased lean mass [30].…”

“…Both functional tasks of daily living and cognitive function are areas of weakness in individuals with DS [11][12][13]. However, very few exercise intervention studies were successful in improving CRF in individuals with DS [14][15][16][17][18]. It is important to investigate correlates and potential modifiers of CRF in persons with DS.…”

“…and the prevalence of obesity and associated morbidities such as cardiovascular disease have also been shown to be elevated among children and adolescents with DS [16]. Obesity has also been shown to be negatively associated with CRF (i.e.…”

Effects of aerobic and resistance training on the cardiorespiratory fitness of young people with Down Syndrome

“…However, children and adolescents with DS have lower cardiorespiratory fitness levels compared to their peers without DS, which can negatively interfere in their health and quality of life 8 . Autonomic dysfunction, reduced ventilatory capacity, and metabolic dysfunction are the three physiological factors that potentially contribute to the low cardiorespiratory fitness levels among people with DS 9 .…”