Lifting Limits: The Impact of Strength Training in Down Syndrome—A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis.

Background: People with Down syndrome (DS) may exhibit several musculoskeletal disorders, including alterations in muscle tone and activation. Strength training could mitigate the loss of muscle strength and, therefore, improve strength values in this population. Additionally, it may influence healt...

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Published in:Journal of Intellectual Disability Research Vol. 69; no. 9; pp. 781 - 795
Main Authors: Iglesias‐Díaz, Luis, López‐Ortiz, Susana, García‐Chico, Celia, Santos‐Lozano, Alejandro, González‐Lázaro, Javier
Format: meta analysis research systematic review tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Wiley-Blackwell Sep2025
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Sep2025
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      pub: Wiley-Blackwell
      place: Malden, Massachusetts
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        atl: Lifting Limits: The Impact of Strength Training in Down Syndrome—A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis.
      aug:
        au:
          Iglesias‐Díaz, Luis
          López‐Ortiz, Susana
          García‐Chico, Celia
          Santos‐Lozano, Alejandro
          González‐Lázaro, Javier
        affil: Department of Health Sciences, Miguel de Cervantes European University, Valladolid, Spain
      sug:
        subj:
          Down Syndrome
          Muscle Strengthening
          Disease Attributes
          Training Effect (Physiology)
          Grip Strength
          Task Performance and Analysis
          Physical Activity
          Body Composition
          Biological Markers
          Bone Density
          Physical Endurance
          Human
          Funding Source
          Systematic Review
          Meta Analysis
          PubMed
          Descriptive Statistics
          Scales
          Chi Square Test
          Confidence Intervals
          Functional Status
          Muscle Strength
          Resistance Training
          Intellectual Disability
          Exercise
      ab: Background: People with Down syndrome (DS) may exhibit several musculoskeletal disorders, including alterations in muscle tone and activation. Strength training could mitigate the loss of muscle strength and, therefore, improve strength values in this population. Additionally, it may influence health‐related outcomes such as physical function, body composition and biochemical markers. Objective: This systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to analyse the characteristics and effects of strength training in people with DS. Methods: A search was conducted from inception to 22 April 2025. The methodological quality of the included RCTs was assessed using the 15‐item Tool for the assEssment of Study qualiTy and reporting in EXercise (TESTEX). In addition, the risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane's risk of bias 2 (RoB2). Results: A total of 10 RCTs (n = 233 participants) were included in the systematic review, of which three (n = 111 participants) could be meta‐analysed. The pooled effect showed statistically significant benefits for upper (mean difference [MD] = 5.66 kg, 95% CI 2.42–8.91) and lower (MD = 20.43 kg, 95% CI 1.76–39.10) body strength. The TESTEX scores for most RCTs ranged from 3 to 12 points. The risk of bias analysis indicated that eight RCTs had a low risk of bias, whereas the remaining studies were classified as high risk. Conclusion: Strength training may significantly improve muscle strength in people with DS. However, further research is needed to assess the long‐term effects on physical function, body composition and biochemical markers.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        meta analysis
        research
        systematic review
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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