None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
We want to determine the effect of regular exercise on cognitive functioning in young adults with Down syndrome. We will compare the effect of a 12-week exercise intervention on cognitive function against a wait list control group. Participants will complete a weight training program with a mentor to assist them, at a local gym. Exercise sessions will run for one hour, twice a week for 12 weeks. We will recruit a 30 participants aged 15-35 years old with Down syndrome. Baseline data on Executive functioning, Short term Memory, Information processing speed and Intellectual ability will be collected at baseline (week 0). Executive functioning, Short term Memory and Information processing speed will be measured again during follow-up (week 13) after having either completed the exercise program or doing their usual activities. We will also collect data on participant demographics.
Interventions
The exercise program will match participants with Down syndrome (DS) with a student mentor from their community to exercise together, one-on-one at their local gym. The program will be a 12 week program, with two, one hour sessions per week (24 sessions in total). The exercise program will comprise progressive resistance training (weight training). Programs will be prescribed by a physiotherapist from the research team, according to international best practice guidelines from the American Col
The exercise program will match participants with Down syndrome (DS) with a student mentor from their community to exercise together, one-on-one at their local gym. The program will be a 12 week program, with two, one hour sessions per week (24 sessions in total). The exercise program will comprise progressive resistance training (weight training). Programs will be prescribed by a physiotherapist from the research team, according to international best practice guidelines from the American College of Sports Medicine. Participants and mentors will document programs and notes in an exercise logbook. Mentors will be recruited from Allied Health students at La Trobe University Bundoora (any discipline and any year). All mentors are paid employees, based on residential location and will hold a current police check and working with children's check. An Experimental group will complete the 12-week exercise program twice a week and will log the exercises performed and the intensity at which they are performed (e.g. weight/ resistance used, number of repetitions). A control group will continue with their usual activities for 12 weeks and receive the exercise intervention after their second assessment.
Sponsors
La Trobe University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
15 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
(1) Diagnosed with Down syndrome (2) can respond verbally to, and follow simple verbal instructions in English (3) are medically fit to participate in an exercise program.
Exclusion criteria
Participants will be excluded if they: . (1) participate in a structured exercise program within three months prior to the trial; (2) have an acute or concurrent medical condition rendering them unfit to take part (e.g. severe osteoarthritis, severe cardiac conditions); or (3) have a significant behavioural problem that would impact on participation (e.g. severe depression or severe anxiety).
Outcome results
None listed