Mental performance in Down syndrome

Effect of Application of Different Exercise Intensities on Vitamin D and Parathormone in Children with Down's Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Children with Down's syndrome are more liable to vitamin D deficiency. Treating this deficiency with supplements is associated with the risk of intoxication.

AIM

The study is aimed at comparing the effect of two exercise intensities on the modulation of vitamin D and parathormone levels in children with DS.

METHODS

Forty-four DS male children aged from 8 to 12 years participated in the study. They were assigned randomly into two equal groups. Group I received high-intensity treadmill aerobic exercises, and group II received moderate-intensity T-AE, three times per week for three months. The blood samples were collected from both groups before the intervention, after one month of intervention, then after three months of intervention to assess serum 25(OH)D and PTH levels.

RESULTS

Repeated measure MANOVA revealed that the high-intensity T-AE induced a significant increase in 25(OH)D after one month and after three months while it significantly decreased PTH only after three months. Moderate-intensity T-AE had a nonsignificant effect on both hormones.

CONCLUSION

The current study concluded that the high-intensity T-AE improved both vitamin D and parathormone serum levels after three months of intervention.

Effect of strength and balance training in children with Down's syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of exercise training on strength and balance in children with Down's syndrome.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Rehabilitation school for special children.

SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTION

Twenty-three children were randomized to intervention and control group. The intervention group (n = 12) underwent progressive resistive exercises for lower limbs and balance training for six weeks. The control group continued their regular activities followed at school.

OUTCOME MEASURE

A handheld dynamometer was used to measure the lower limb muscle strength. Balance was assessed by the balance subscale of Bruininks Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP).

RESULTS

Following the training, the children in the intervention group showed a statistically significant improvement (P < 0.05) in the lower limb strength of all the muscle groups assessed. The strength of knee extensors was 12.12 lbs in the control group versus 18.4 lbs in the experimental group; in hip flexors it was 12.34 lbs in the control group versus 16.66 lbs in the experimental group post-intervention. The balance of the children also improved significantly with an improvement in scores of the balance subscale of BOTMP (19.50 in the experimental group versus 9.00 in the control group, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that a specific exercise training programme may improve the strength and balance in children with Down's syndrome.