DEI/Health Equity
1
Effects of Exercise on the Cardiovascular Health of Adolescents and Young Adults With Down Syndrome
Date of Presentation
5-2-2024 12:00 AM
College
Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Poster Abstract
Introduction: It is known that the incidence of Down Syndrome has increased over time and that this condition is associated with congenital heart defects, lower cardiorespiratory capacity, and increased rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes. It has been shown that individuals who have congenital heart defects but not Down Syndrome have increased cardiorespiratory function after engaging in exercise. Unfortunately, the role of exercise in improving cardiovascular health outcomes among individuals with DS is not yet fully understood.
Results: Exercise has been found to improve several health outcomes among individuals with Down Syndrome. For example, moderate to vigorous treadmill exercises increased the maximum heart rates and maximal oxygen consumption of those with this condition. Participants engaged in circuit training and plyometrics also experienced increases in peak minute ventilation and aerobic capacity. Lastly, aerobic and resistance training both reduced systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures among individuals with Down Syndrome.
Conclusions: These results show that exercise is effective at improving cardiovascular health outcomes among adolescents and young adults with Down Syndrome. However, few studies have investigated these effects, and larger sample sizes and more studies that focus on Down Syndrome patients with congenital heart defects are needed to draw more generalizable conclusions. It is imperative that we create exercise interventions that will maximize cardiovascular health outcomes among this population.
Keywords
Down Syndrome, exercise, cardiovascular health, congenital heart disease
Disciplines
Cardiology | Cardiovascular Diseases | Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities | Medicine and Health Sciences | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms | Preventive Medicine
Document Type
Poster
Effects of Exercise on the Cardiovascular Health of Adolescents and Young Adults With Down Syndrome
Introduction: It is known that the incidence of Down Syndrome has increased over time and that this condition is associated with congenital heart defects, lower cardiorespiratory capacity, and increased rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes. It has been shown that individuals who have congenital heart defects but not Down Syndrome have increased cardiorespiratory function after engaging in exercise. Unfortunately, the role of exercise in improving cardiovascular health outcomes among individuals with DS is not yet fully understood.
Results: Exercise has been found to improve several health outcomes among individuals with Down Syndrome. For example, moderate to vigorous treadmill exercises increased the maximum heart rates and maximal oxygen consumption of those with this condition. Participants engaged in circuit training and plyometrics also experienced increases in peak minute ventilation and aerobic capacity. Lastly, aerobic and resistance training both reduced systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures among individuals with Down Syndrome.
Conclusions: These results show that exercise is effective at improving cardiovascular health outcomes among adolescents and young adults with Down Syndrome. However, few studies have investigated these effects, and larger sample sizes and more studies that focus on Down Syndrome patients with congenital heart defects are needed to draw more generalizable conclusions. It is imperative that we create exercise interventions that will maximize cardiovascular health outcomes among this population.