The Impact of an 8-week Supported Exercise Program on Fitness and Symptoms in Adolescents With Down Syndrome

Adolescents with Down syndrome will attend an eight-week, center-based exercise intervention.
Participants will undergo an hour of exercise intervention each week. During this time,
participants will be working with a certified athletic trainer, exercise physiologist and
physician. Exercises will focus on strength and endurance of all major muscle groups, while
ensuring proper technique and form is used. They will also receive instruction on how to
continue the exercise program at home. Prior to starting, and at the end of eight visits, all
exercise participants will undergo testing procedures for anthropometric, strength and
flexibility measurements. This data will be collected as part of clinically evaluating the
impact of the program on each participant. In addition, to the exercise program (and clinical
assessments of fitness), DSFit participants will complete study measures of behavioral
functioning as well as scales of depression and anxiety. In addition, participants in the
DSFit study will complete a weekly exercise log during and for three months after the
intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Males and females

- 12 to 17 years old (until 18th birthday)

- Diagnosed with Down syndrome by a physician

- Medically cleared by a study physician to exercise.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Requires consistent one-on-one care

- History of behavioral issues (outbursts, aggressive/self-injurious, bolting)

- Pre-existing cardiovascular, respiratory or orthopedic conditions that could place
participant at risk for injury or illness resulting from exercise. For example:

- Untreated significant atlantoaxial instability

- Severe pulmonary hypertension