Non-Cochrane · intervention · PM42708805
Effectiveness of Resistance Training in People With Down Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Benzo Iglesias María Jesús, Torres Álamo Lucía, Salazar Alejandro, et al. · Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID · 2026 · PubMed · doi:10.1111/jar.70302
Findings
Population People with Down syndrome
16 findings
| Resistance training | Control group (no intervention or social program) | Minute ventilation Change from baseline to post-intervention | SMD -0.14 [-1.98, 1.7] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 56 participants |
| Resistance training | Control group (no intervention or social program) | Work task performance Change from baseline to post-intervention | SMD 2.46 [-5.82, 10.74] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 104 participants |
| Resistance training | Control group (no intervention or social program) | VO2max Change from baseline to post-intervention | SMD -0.76 [-2.69, 1.16] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 56 participants |
| Resistance training | Control group (no intervention or social program) | Timed stairs test Change from baseline to post-intervention | SMD -0.85 [-1.8, 0.09] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 43 participants |
| Resistance training | Control group (no intervention or social program) | Grocery shelf task Change from baseline to post-intervention | SMD -0.34 [-0.95, 0.26] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 43 participants |
| Resistance training | Control group (no intervention or social program) | Cardiorespiratory measures Change from baseline to post-intervention | SMD 0.32 [-0.84, 1.48] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 168 participants |
| Resistance training | Control group (no intervention or social program) | Body mass index Change from baseline to post-intervention | SMD -0.13 [-0.85, 0.59] GRADE not reported 5 studies · 168 participants |
| Resistance training | Control group (no intervention or social program) | Muscle strength Change from baseline to post-intervention | SMD 1.88 [1.26, 2.51] GRADE not reported 5 studies · 264 participants |
| Resistance training | Control group (no intervention or social program) | Leg press 1RM Change from baseline to post-intervention | SMD 1.97 [0.45, 3.5] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 111 participants |
| Resistance training | Control group (no intervention or social program) | Maximum heart rate Change from baseline to post-intervention | SMD 1.85 [1.12, 2.58] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 56 participants |
| Resistance training | Control group (no intervention or social program) | Physical function Change from baseline to post-intervention | SMD -0.58 [-1.06, -0.11] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 86 participants |
| Resistance training | Control group (no intervention or social program) | Weight Change from baseline to post-intervention | SMD 0.08 [-0.21, 0.37] GRADE not reported 6 studies · 188 participants |
| Resistance training | Control group (no intervention or social program) | Bench press 1RM Change from baseline to post-intervention | SMD 1.68 [0.94, 2.43] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 111 participants |
| Resistance training | Control group (no intervention or social program) | Anthropometric measures Change from baseline to post-intervention | SMD -0.12 [-0.45, 0.21] GRADE not reported 6 studies · 412 participants |
| Resistance training | Control group (no intervention or social program) | Waist circumference Change from baseline to post-intervention | SMD -0.68 [-1.69, 0.34] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 56 participants |
| Resistance training | Control group (no intervention or social program) | Handgrip strength Change from baseline to post-intervention | SMD 2.24 [0.65, 3.84] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 42 participants |
Included primary studies 26
Open in Studies| Study | Year | Also included by | Outcomes it informs here | Trial data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowley 2011 The effect of progressive resistance training on leg strength, aerobic capacity and functional tasks of daily living in persons with Down… DOI:10.3109/09638288.2011.563820 | 2011 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Cowley 2011 The effect of progressive resistance training on leg strength, aerobic capacity and functional tasks of daily living in persons with Down… PMID:21446859 | 2011 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Diaz 2021 Effects of Resistance Training in Muscle Mass and Markers of Muscle Damage in Adults with Down Syndrome. PMID:34501582 | 2021 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Dilek 2018 The Effect of Exercise on Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Down Syndrome DOI:10.4274/jpr.66588 | 2018 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Eid 2017 Effect of isokinetic training on muscle strength and postural balance in children with Down’s syndrome DOI:10.1097/mrr.0000000000000218 | 2017 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Eid 2017 Effect of isokinetic training on muscle strength and postural balance in children with Down's syndrome. PMID:28146007 | 2017 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Fornieles 2014 Salivary testosterone and immunoglobulin A were increased by resistance training in adults with Down syndrome DOI:10.1590/1414-431x20143468 | 2014 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Fornieles 2014 Salivary testosterone and immunoglobulin A were increased by resistance training in adults with Down syndrome. PMID:24714816 | 2014 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Gonzalez-Aguero 2014 Efectos del entrenamiento pliométrico sobre la resistencia cardiorrespiratoria de niños y adolescentes con síndrome de Down DOI:10.1016/s1138-2074(14)70053-3 | 2014 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Gupta 2011 Effect of strength and balance training in children with Down’s syndrome: a randomized controlled trial DOI:10.1177/0269215510382929 | 2010 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Gupta 2011 Effect of strength and balance training in children with Down's syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. PMID:21059663 | 2011 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Ortiz-Ortiz 2019 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Rosety-Rodriguez 2013 Resistance circuit training reduced inflammatory cytokines in a cohort of male adults with Down syndrome DOI:10.12659/msm.889362 | 2013 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Rosety-Rodriguez 2013 Resistance circuit training reduced inflammatory cytokines in a cohort of male adults with Down syndrome. PMID:24196521 | 2013 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Rosety-Rodriguez 2014 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Rosety-Rodriguez 2021 A Short‐Term Resistance Training Circuit Improved Antioxidants in Sedentary Adults with Down Syndrome DOI:10.1155/2021/8811153 | 2021 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Rosety-Rodriguez 2021 A Short-Term Resistance Training Circuit Improved Antioxidants in Sedentary Adults with Down Syndrome. PMID:33532037 | 2021 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Shields 2008 Effects of a Community-Based Progressive Resistance Training Program on Muscle Performance and Physical Function in Adults With Down… DOI:10.1016/j.apmr.2007.11.056 | 2008 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Shields 2008 Effects of a community-based progressive resistance training program on muscle performance and physical function in adults with Down… PMID:18586124 | 2008 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Shields 2010 A student-led progressive resistance training program increases lower limb muscle strength in adolescents with Down syndrome: a randomised… PMID:20795925 | 2010 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Shields 2013 A community-based strength training programme increases muscle strength and physical activity in young people with Down syndrome: A… DOI:10.1016/j.ridd.2013.09.022 | 2013 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Shields 2013 A community-based strength training programme increases muscle strength and physical activity in young people with Down syndrome: a… PMID:24120754 | 2013 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Shields and Taylor 2010 A student-led progressive resistance training program increases lower limb muscle strength in adolescents with Down syndrome: a randomised… DOI:10.1016/s1836-9553(10)70024-2 | 2010 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Shin 2021 The Effect of Resistance and Balance Training on Postural Control and Physical Fitness in Adults with Down Syndrome DOI:10.15857/ksep.2021.30.2.175 | 2021 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Suarez-Villadat 2024 Strength versus aerobic program: effects on body composition and health-related physical fitness levels of youths with Down syndrome DOI:10.1080/20473869.2022.2162627 | 2023 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Suarez-Villadat 2024 Strength versus aerobic program: effects on body composition and health-related physical fitness levels of youths with Down syndrome. PMID:39131752 | 2024 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
Review question
| Element | Planned (methods) | Found (results) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | Individuals with Down syndrome | 576 participants with Down syndrome aged 7 to 50 years (n=16 studies) |
| Intervention | Resistance training (machines, free weights, elastic bands or body weight), with or without conventional physiotherapy | Resistance training programs of 6 to 48 weeks (n=16) |
| Comparison | Other interventions, control group (social programs or usual routine) or no intervention | No intervention (n=13); social program (n=1); conventional physical therapy (n=1); aerobic exercise (n=1) |
| Outcomes | Primary: muscle strength (grip, isometric and isokinetic torque, 1RM). Secondary: balance, biochemical measures, physical function, work task performance, physical activity, adverse effects | Muscle strength, anthropometric measures, physical function, cardiorespiratory measures, work task performance, balance, biochemical markers, adverse effects |
| Study designs | Controlled clinical trials or randomized clinical trials | RCTs and controlled clinical trials (n=16; 14 RCTs, 2 CCTs) |
| Timing | Not specified | 6 to 48 weeks of intervention |
AMSTAR 2 items
Two independent extractors rated each item. Their ratings are shown side by side because they have not been reconciled yet. The overall rating follows Shea et al. 2017: one critical flaw gives Low, more than one gives Critically Low.
| Item | Extractor A | Extractor B | Agree |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Research question includes PICO components | Yes | Yes | yes |
| 2Protocol established before the reviewcritical | Partial Yes | Partial Yes | yes |
| 3Choice of study designs explained | No | No | yes |
| 4Comprehensive literature searchcritical | Partial Yes | Partial Yes | yes |
| 5Study selection in duplicate | Yes | Yes | yes |
| 6Data extraction in duplicate | No | No | yes |
| 7List of excluded studies with reasonscritical | No | No | yes |
| 8Included studies described in detail | Partial Yes | Yes | no |
| 9Risk of bias assessed satisfactorilycritical | RCT: Yes · NRSI: Partial Yes | NRSI: No · RCT: Yes | no |
| 10Funding of included studies reported | No | No | yes |
| 11Appropriate meta-analysis methodscritical | RCT: No · NRSI: No | NRSI: No · RCT: Yes | no |
| 12Impact of risk of bias on the pooled results | No | No | yes |
| 13Risk of bias accounted for in interpretationcritical | Yes | Yes | yes |
| 14Heterogeneity explained | Yes | Yes | yes |
| 15Publication bias investigatedcritical | No | No | yes |
| 16Conflicts of interest reported | Yes | Yes | yes |
| Overall | Critically Low | Critically Low | yes |