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Inspiratory Muscle Training and Physical Fitness in Children With Down Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Mohamed Ali Elshafey1, Reham Saeed Alsakhawi2
1Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Insights
Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) combined with aerobic exercise significantly improved physical fitness in children with Down syndrome. This intervention showed greater benefits than aerobic exercise alone for strength and endurance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Exercise Science
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Down Syndrome Research
Background:
- Children with Down syndrome often exhibit reduced physical fitness.
- Targeted interventions are needed to enhance the physical capacity of this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on the physical fitness of children with Down syndrome (DS).
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 40 children (aged 7-10) with DS.
- Participants received either aerobic exercise training or aerobic exercise plus IMT for 12 weeks.
- Key outcomes included maximal respiratory pressures, aerobic endurance, and various strength/endurance tests.
Main Results:
- The IMT group showed significant improvements in maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, and aerobic endurance (6-minute walk test).
- Enhanced strength and endurance were observed across multiple functional tests in the IMT group.
- These improvements were statistically significant (P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Combining IMT with aerobic exercise training offers superior benefits for physical fitness in children with Down syndrome compared to aerobic training alone.
- IMT is a viable strategy to enhance respiratory and overall physical function in this population.
Objective:
To investigate the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on physical fitness in children with Down syndrome (DS).
Design:
Randomized control trial.
Setting:
The study was conducted in a private physical therapy center.
Participants:
Forty boys and girls with DS aged between 7 and 10 years were enrolled in this study (N=40). They were randomly and equally divided into 2 groups (A and B).
Interventions:
All participants received 30 minutes of aerobic exercise training 3 times per week for 12 weeks, whereas group B received an additional 30 minutes of IMT before each aerobic exercise session.
Main Outcomes Measures:
Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP); maximal expiratory pressure (MEP); submaximal aerobic endurance; muscular strength; endurance.
Results:
Among the group undergoing IMT, there were significant improvements in MIP, MEP, and submaximal aerobic endurance using the six-minute walk test (6MWT); strength and endurance using the curl-up, dumbbell press, trunk lift, standing long jump, seated push-up, pull-up, and flexed-arm hang; and back saver sit and reach tests (P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
Inspiratory muscle training and aerobic exercise training demonstrated more significant improvements in physical fitness than in those children who received only aerobic exercise training.
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