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Effect of isokinetic training on muscle strength and postural balance in children with Down's syndrome
Mohamed A Eid1, Sobhy M Aly, Mohamed A Huneif
1aDepartment of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences bDepartment of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia cDepartment of Physical Therapy For Disturbances of Growth and Development in Children and Its Surgery dDepartment of Biomechanics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo eDepartment of Physical Therapy, Sheikh Zayed Specialized Hospital, Giza, Egypt.
Insights
Isokinetic training significantly improved muscle strength and postural balance in children with Down's syndrome (DS). This targeted exercise approach offers greater benefits than conventional physical therapy for enhancing motor skills and physical health in DS.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Physical Therapy
- Neuromuscular Rehabilitation
- Developmental Disorders
Background:
- Children with Down's syndrome (DS) exhibit challenges with postural sway and motor development.
- Muscle weakness and hypotonia in the lower extremities are believed to impact physical health and daily activities in children with DS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of isokinetic training on muscle strength and postural balance in children with Down's syndrome.
- To compare the effectiveness of conventional physical therapy versus conventional therapy plus isokinetic training.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 31 children with DS (ages 9-12) was conducted.
- Participants were assigned to a control group (conventional physical therapy) or a study group (conventional therapy + isokinetic training 3x/week for 12 weeks).
- Measurements included postural stability (Biodex Stability System) and knee flexor/extensor peak torque (isokinetic dynamometer) pre- and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in postural balance and knee muscle strength (P<0.05).
- The study group receiving isokinetic training showed significantly greater improvements compared to the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Isokinetic training is an effective intervention for enhancing muscle strength and postural balance in children with Down's syndrome.
- This training modality offers superior benefits over conventional physical therapy alone for this population.
Abstract:
Children with Down's syndrome (DS) often have greater postural sway and delay in motor development. Muscle weakness and hypotonia, particularly of the lower extremities, are theorized to impair their overall physical health and ability to perform daily activities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of isokinetic training on muscle strength and postural balance in children with DS. Thirty-one children with DS ranging in age from 9 to 12 years were assigned randomly into two groups. The control group received the conventional physical therapy, whereas the study group received the same therapy as the control group in addition to the isokinetic training 3 days a week for 12 weeks. Measurement of stability indices using the Biodex Stability System as well as peak torque of knee flexors and extensors of both sides using the isokinetic dynamometer was performed before and after 12 weeks of the treatment program. Each group showed significant improvements in postural balance and peak torque of knee flexors and extensors (P<0.05), with significantly greater improvements observed in the study group compared with the control group (P<0.05). These outcomes indicated that participation in the isokinetic training program induced greater improvements in muscle strength and postural balance in children with DS.
