Abstract
BackgroundMuscle strength is important for young people with Down syndrome as they make the transition to adulthood, because their workplace activities typically emphasise physical rather than cognitive skills. Muscle strength is reduced up to 50% in people with Down syndrome compared to their peers without disability. Progressive resistance training improves muscle strength and endurance in people with Down syndrome. However, there is no evidence on whether it has an effect on work task performance or physical activity levels. The aim of this study is to investigate if a student-led community-based progressive resistance training programme can improve these outcomes in adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome.MethodsA randomised controlled trial will compare progressive resistance training with a control group undertaking a social programme. Seventy adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome aged 14-22 years and mild to moderate intellectual disability will be randomly allocated to the intervention or control group using a concealed method. The intervention group will complete a 10-week, twice a week, student-led progressive resistance training programme at a local community gymnasium. The student mentors will be undergraduate physiotherapy students. The control group will complete an arts/social programme with a student mentor once a week for 90 minutes also for 10 weeks to control for the social aspect of the intervention. Work task performance (box stacking, pail carry), muscle strength (1 repetition maximum for chest and leg press) and physical activity (frequency, duration, intensity over 7-days) will be assessed at baseline (Week 0), following the intervention (Week 11), and at 3 months post intervention (Week 24) by an assessor blind to group allocation. Data will be analysed using ANCOVA with baseline measures as covariates.DiscussionThis paper outlines the study protocol for a randomised controlled trial on the effects of progressive resistance training on work task performance and physical activity for adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome. The intervention addresses the impairment of muscle weakness which may improve work task performance and help to increase physical activity levels.Clinical trial registration numberAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12609000938202
Highlights
Muscle strength is important for young people with Down syndrome as they make the transition to adulthood, because their workplace activities typically emphasise physical rather than cognitive skills
The secondary aims are to investigate: (a) if the exercise programme leads to an improvement in muscle strength, and (b) if the exercise programme leads to an increase in the amount of moderate and vigorous level physical activity undertaken by adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome. Research design This randomised controlled trial will compare the effect of a 10-week student-led community-based progressive resistance training (PRT) programme compared with a social programme. This trial will examine if a student-led PRT programme improves work task performance and muscle strength in adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome and if it leads to improved activity levels after the programme has been completed
This paper outlines the study protocol for a randomised controlled trial on the effects of progressive resistance training for adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome. It will establish if a novel, student-led community based PRT programme can improve work task performance and physical activity levels of young adults with Down syndrome
Summary
Muscle strength is important for young people with Down syndrome as they make the transition to adulthood, because their workplace activities typically emphasise physical rather than cognitive skills. Muscle strength is important for young adults with Down syndrome Due to their intellectual disability, their workplace activities typically emphasise physical rather than cognitive skills such as packing boxes of confectionery, sorting and cutting clothing, and assembling automotive parts [6]. These physical work tasks can be problematic for young adults with Down syndrome as they typically have muscle weakness, hypotonia, and low cardiovascular fitness [2,4,5]. Muscle weakness contributes to a reduced ability to perform activities of daily living [9], and can negatively impact their vocational and social development in the workforce [10,11,12] as well as their quality of life [13]
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