The effect of different exercise intensities on knee and ankle joints' torque and functional mobility in children with Down Syndrome

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of mild and moderate exercise intensity on selected knee and ankle isokinetic parameters and functional mobility in children with Down Syndrome (DS), in order to find the appropriate exercise intensity that is beneficial for them. A clinical controlled trial was conducted on thirty-four male children with DS, aged between eight and twelve years, which were randomly divided into two groups (Group 1 and Group 2). The first group (Group 1) received mild-intensity treadmill aerobic exercises [T-AE] and the second group (Group 2) received moderate-intensity T-AE, three sessions weekly for three months. The timed up and go (TUG) test was utilized to evaluate the functional mobility while the peak eccentric torque of knee extensors and ankle plantar flexors of the dominant leg was evaluated by isokinetic dynamometry. IBM SPSS Program (version 20) was utilized to conduct the statistical analysis. There was a statistically significant improvement in the three variables after intervention with the moderate-intensity program (p<0.05), while the improvement was not statistically significant after intervention with the mild-intensity program (p>0.05). A moderate-intensity exercise program is an appropriate and beneficial intervention and should be considered as a part of rehabilitation programs for DS children.