Group-based Resistance Training for Adults With Down Syndrome

Summary

The investigators are interested in Resistance Training as a physical exercise intervention for adults with Down syndrome. Resistance Training (or RT for short) is a popular form of physical exercise, which focuses on improving muscle strength and endurance using weighted or resistance-based exercises. RT can involve 'lifting weights', doing resistance band movements or performing bodyweight exercises. Researchers have developed a tailored programme of RT exercises (called RESID), which are suitable and safe to implement for individuals with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. RT has been shown to help people improve thinking skills and overall quality of life. RT has been associated with better brain health in older adults with memory problems. The investigators want to run the RESID exercise programme with adults with Down syndrome who do not have memory problems but who the investigators know are at much greater risk of developing memory problems as they get older. The investigators are hoping this programme will support brain health and healthy ageing in adults with Down syndrome. The investigators want to see this programme can be successfully run with people with intellectual disabilities. The investigators want to see if participants enjoy this programme and engage well with it. The investigators want to see if there are any barriers to participating in this programme. The investigators also want to see how much it will cost to run this programme again in the future. The investigators also want to see if this programme helps these adults to feel better about themselves, to have better memory skills, to have better day-to-day skills, and to have better strength and mobility. The investigators will measure study outcomes using self-report scales, a memory assessment, strength test, mobility tests, blood pressure/heart rate test and by getting information from caregivers. The investigators will use the same measures with a similar group of adults who initially do not take part in this programme. They will be called our services as usual control group. During the first group, these adults will attend usual weekly services. However, they will be offered a place on a RT programme after the first experimental group have finished. The investigators will decide the order of who takes part in which initial group (Experimental or Control) by drawing names out of a hat so that it will be as fair as possible. However, all participants in this study will eventually take part in the RT programme. The investigators hope this study will tell us a lot about running a RT programme for people with intellectual disabilities. The investigators hope the results of this research study will show that adults with Down syndrome enjoy and engage well with this programme and that RT has benefits for adults with Down syndrome who do not memory problems. The investigators hope to show that RT can support the healthy ageing of adults with Down syndrome.

Conditions

• Down Syndrome
• Healthy Aging
• Resistance Training

Interventions

OTHER

Services as Usual Control Group

Participants will receive services as usual for the initial 12-week period prior to crossover to the resistance training intervention. During Period 2 (12 weeks), participants initially assigned to the resistance training group return to services as usual control group.

BEHAVIORAL

Resistance Training

Resistance Training (or RT for short) is a popular form of physical exercise, which focuses on improving muscle strength and endurance using weighted or resistance-based exercises. RT can involve 'lifting weights', doing resistance band movements or performing bodyweight exercises.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University College Dublin

  collaborator OTHER

• Saint John of God Intellectual Disability Services - Dublin South East

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Sharon Hardiman · Saint John of God Intellectual Disability Services - Dublin South East

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

45 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-10-01

Primary Completion

2026-08-01

Completion

2026-08-01

Countries

• Ireland

Study Locations