Exercise as it relates to Disease/The benefits of resistance training for people with down syndrome

What is Down Syndrome?
Down Syndrome is a genetic condition, in the human body there are 23 pairs of chromosomes, which is 46 individual chromosomes in every cell. An individual with Down Syndrome has an extra chromosome 21, therefore has 47 chromosomes. there are many different physical and mental characteristics that identifies a individual with Down Syndrome. An individual with Down Syndrome is can be identified at birth and it is normally confirmed by a blood test.

Signs of Down Syndrome
Some signs of individuals with down syndrome are
 * Decrease muscle tone at birth
 * Excess skin on the nape of the neck
 * Flattened nose
 * Small ears
 * Small mouth
 * Upward slanting eyes
 * Wide short hands and fingers2

Physical development in individuals with down syndrome is slower than what it is in an average person. A lot of individuals with down syndrome never reach average adult height. Children with down syndrome may be affected by a delay of there mental and social development. Some problems included
 * Poor judgement
 * Slower Learning
 * impulsive behaviour
 * Short attention span2.

Prevalence
It is estimated that 1 in 800 babies are born with Down Syndrome. About 13,000 people in Australia have Down Syndrome and the numbers increasing by the day.

What is Resistance Training?
Resistance training is also referred to as weight training or strength training, is to use resistance in the muscle contraction to build muscular strength in skeletal muscle. weak muscles are common in individuals with down syndrome. [11] The most common job for an individual with down syndrome is a job that require physical work. A decrease in physical strength can have a negative impact on the individual with down syndrome socially and economically. [ 6]

Why is Resistance Training Important for individuals with Down Syndrome?
Resistance training is important for individuals with down syndrome because they have around 50% less muscle strength than there peers with normal development. in adolescence children with down syndrome become less active therefore it would be important for them to do strength training so they don't lose a more strength.

Exercise Recommendations
Some exercises that could be conducted to increase muscle strength are

Upper Body
 * Bench Press
 * Seated Row
 * Shoulder Press
 * Bicep Curls

Lower Body
 * Leg Press
 * Wall Squat
 * Leg Extension
 * Leg Curls

some studies have done a 10 week training period which the participants turned up for 90% of the training session. A ten week program did have an advantage as it fit in with the school term and. studies have shown that doing a six- ten week training program, 2-3 times a week will help improve strength