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 trainingControl 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 trainingControl 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 trainingControl 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 trainingControl 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 trainingControl 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 trainingControl 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 trainingControl 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 trainingControl 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 trainingControl 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 trainingControl 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 trainingControl 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 trainingControl 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 trainingControl 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 trainingControl 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 trainingControl 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 trainingControl 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
StudyYearAlso included byOutcomes it informs hereTrial 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
2011this review onlynot statednot 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
2011this review onlynot statednot extracted yet
Diaz 2021
Effects of Resistance Training in Muscle Mass and Markers of Muscle Damage in Adults with Down Syndrome.
PMID:34501582
2021this review onlynot statednot extracted yet
Dilek 2018
The Effect of Exercise on Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Down Syndrome
DOI:10.4274/jpr.66588
2018this review onlynot statednot 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
2017this review onlynot statednot extracted yet
Eid 2017
Effect of isokinetic training on muscle strength and postural balance in children with Down's syndrome.
PMID:28146007
2017this review onlynot statednot extracted yet
Fornieles 2014
Salivary testosterone and immunoglobulin A were increased by resistance training in adults with Down syndrome
DOI:10.1590/1414-431x20143468
2014this review onlynot statednot extracted yet
Fornieles 2014
Salivary testosterone and immunoglobulin A were increased by resistance training in adults with Down syndrome.
PMID:24714816
2014this review onlynot statednot 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
2014this review onlynot statednot extracted yet
Gupta 2011
Effect of strength and balance training in children with Down’s syndrome: a randomized controlled trial
DOI:10.1177/0269215510382929
2010this review onlynot statednot extracted yet
Gupta 2011
Effect of strength and balance training in children with Down's syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.
PMID:21059663
2011this review onlynot statednot extracted yet
Ortiz-Ortiz 2019
matched by author and year (probable)
NRthis review onlynot statednot 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
2013this review onlynot statednot extracted yet
Rosety-Rodriguez 2013
Resistance circuit training reduced inflammatory cytokines in a cohort of male adults with Down syndrome.
PMID:24196521
2013this review onlynot statednot extracted yet
Rosety-Rodriguez 2014
matched by author and year (probable)
NRthis review onlynot statednot extracted yet
Rosety-Rodriguez 2021
A Short‐Term Resistance Training Circuit Improved Antioxidants in Sedentary Adults with Down Syndrome
DOI:10.1155/2021/8811153
2021this review onlynot statednot extracted yet
Rosety-Rodriguez 2021
A Short-Term Resistance Training Circuit Improved Antioxidants in Sedentary Adults with Down Syndrome.
PMID:33532037
2021this review onlynot statednot 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
2008this review onlynot statednot 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
2008this review onlynot statednot 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
2010this review onlynot statednot 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
2013this review onlynot statednot 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
2013this review onlynot statednot 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
2010this review onlynot statednot 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
2021this review onlynot statednot 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
2023this review onlynot statednot 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
2024this review onlynot statednot extracted yet

Review question

ElementPlanned (methods)Found (results)
PopulationIndividuals with Down syndrome576 participants with Down syndrome aged 7 to 50 years (n=16 studies)
InterventionResistance training (machines, free weights, elastic bands or body weight), with or without conventional physiotherapyResistance training programs of 6 to 48 weeks (n=16)
ComparisonOther interventions, control group (social programs or usual routine) or no interventionNo intervention (n=13); social program (n=1); conventional physical therapy (n=1); aerobic exercise (n=1)
OutcomesPrimary: muscle strength (grip, isometric and isokinetic torque, 1RM). Secondary: balance, biochemical measures, physical function, work task performance, physical activity, adverse effectsMuscle strength, anthropometric measures, physical function, cardiorespiratory measures, work task performance, balance, biochemical markers, adverse effects
Study designsControlled clinical trials or randomized clinical trialsRCTs and controlled clinical trials (n=16; 14 RCTs, 2 CCTs)
TimingNot specified6 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.

ItemExtractor AExtractor BAgree
1Research question includes PICO componentsYesYesyes
2Protocol established before the reviewcriticalPartial YesPartial Yesyes
3Choice of study designs explainedNoNoyes
4Comprehensive literature searchcriticalPartial YesPartial Yesyes
5Study selection in duplicateYesYesyes
6Data extraction in duplicateNoNoyes
7List of excluded studies with reasonscriticalNoNoyes
8Included studies described in detailPartial YesYesno
9Risk of bias assessed satisfactorilycriticalRCT: Yes · NRSI: Partial YesNRSI: No · RCT: Yesno
10Funding of included studies reportedNoNoyes
11Appropriate meta-analysis methodscriticalRCT: No · NRSI: NoNRSI: No · RCT: Yesno
12Impact of risk of bias on the pooled resultsNoNoyes
13Risk of bias accounted for in interpretationcriticalYesYesyes
14Heterogeneity explainedYesYesyes
15Publication bias investigatedcriticalNoNoyes
16Conflicts of interest reportedYesYesyes
OverallCritically LowCritically Lowyes