I read this study done by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and thought it was very interesting, so I had to share it with you. If you know anyone with Downs Syndrome please pass this along. Strength training just may hold significant benefits for those with Down Syndrome and can improve their quality of life.
Despite a characteristically stocky build, individuals with Down Syndrome typically exhibit 40-50 percent less strength than individuals without Downs, according to ACSM. Researchers are still trying to understand exactly why this is, but a 10-week strength training program yielded significant gains for 12 participants, who performed six exercises (three sets of 10 repetitions, twice weekly). Strength improved dramatically—42 percent averaged over the three upper-body exercises and 90 percent averaged over the three lower-body exercises. Participants were seven women and five men ranging from about 18 to 36 years of age.
Less dramatic, but possibly of greater significance, was improvement in functional performance. Participants’ ability to rise from a chair or to go up and down steps increased over the 10-week experiment. “Relatives told us that [participants] were more willing to help around the house and were performing better on the job,” said Patrick Cowley, lead author of the study.
It always amazes me time and time again what strength training or physical exercise can do for people no matter what is going on inside their bodies. Please encourage anyone you know to start , especially if they have Downs Syndrome. Make sure you find a good trainer and are getting proper instructions. Exercise can make a world of difference for just about anyone.
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