The Effect of Exercise on Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Down Syndrome

Abstract

Aim:Down syndrome (DS) is a predisposing factor for osteoporosis. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of resistance and jumping exercises on the bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) of patients with DS.Materials and Methods:DS and normal individuals aged between 10 and 30 years old were randomized into an exercise group and a control group: a DS without-exercise group (n=15), DS exercise group (n=17), control without-exercise group (n=18), and control exercise group (n=20) were designated. A supervised 45-minute period of exercise was given to the DS exercise group and control exercise group three times per week for six months. The lumbar total and femoral neck BMD and BMC were measured both before and after six months of exercise using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.Results:The change in BMD and BMC over six months did not differ significantly between the exercise and control groups. The BMD and BMC of the DS exercise group decreased in the vertebral and femur areas over six months. The study on resistance and jumping exercises over six months did not lead to a significant change in the total BMD and BMC in the vertebral and femoral neck areas of the patients with DS.Conclusion:The decrease in BMD and BMC over six months in the DS exercise group is not a predictable result.

Keywords

• Down syndrome
• exercise on bone mineral density
• childhood
• adult