Effects of aerobic training in adolescents with Down syndrome. Effects of an aerobic rowing training regimen in young adults with Down syndrome. Effects of intensity of treadmill training on developmental outcomes and stepping in infants with Down syndrome: a randomized trial.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects that aerobic training has on adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome. Fourteen individuals with Down syndrome (mean age = 17.7 yr) participated in a 10-wk walking/jogging exercise training study. A pre- and post-training walking treadmill test was performed to determine the following parameters: peak oxygen uptake (VO2, absolute and relative), minute ventilation (VE, l.min-1), heart rate HR, b.min-1), RER (VCO2/VO2), and time and grade to exhaustion. Following the pre-training evaluations, subjects were assigned to a control group (N = 4) or an exercise group (N = 10). The exercise group underwent a 10-wk walk/jog training program at a frequency of 3 times per week, for a duration of 30 min, and at an intensity of approximately 65-75% peak HR. Following training, both control and experimental groups showed no changes in peak VO2 (absolute and relative), VE, HR, and RER. The exercise group, however, did demonstrate a significant improvement in peak exercise time (and grade). Although the training program did not produce improvements in aerobic capacity, it did produce gains in walking capacity. It was concluded that the adolescents and young adults may not be able to improve their aerobic capacity when performing a walk/jog training program. Effects of a rowing exercise regimen on cardiovascular fitness of young adults with Down syndrome were examined. Sixteen young males with trisomy 21 (mean age 21.3, mean IQ 38.8) were randomly assigned to either a control or exercise group. All participants performed pre- and posttraining graded exercise tests on a treadmill and rowing ergometer. The exercise group performed a 16-week rowing ergometry training regimen. Following training, no changes in cardiovascular fitness had occurred for this group. However, they reached significantly higher levels of work performance for both treadmill and rowing ergometer posttraining tests. Results show that an exercise training regimen did not improve the cardiovascular fitness of young adults with Down syndrome but did improve exercise endurance and work capacity. Infants with Down syndrome (DS) are consistently late walkers. The purpose of this investigation was to test the effects of individualized, progressively more intense treadmill training on developmental outcomes in infants with DS.
                Thirty infants born with DS were randomly assigned to receive lower-intensity, generalized treadmill training or higher-intensity, individualized training implemented by their parents in their homes.
                Research staff members monitored implementation of training, physical growth, and onset of motor milestones of all infants on a monthly basis.
                Infants in the higher-intensity, individualized training group increased their stepping more dramatically over the course of training. Infants in the higher-intensity training group attained most of the motor milestones at an earlier mean age.
                Treadmill training of infants with DS is an excellent supplement to regularly scheduled physical therapy intervention for the purpose of reducing the delay in the onset of walking.
There is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that aerobic exercise in adults with Down syndrome improves physical or psychosocial outcomes . Although evidence exists to support improvements in physiological and psychological aspects from strategies using mixed physical activity programmes, well-conducted research examining long-term physical outcomes, adverse effects, psychosocial outcomes and costs is required before informed practice decisions can be made.