Author(s): FISCHER, M., HERMSDÖRFER, J., LEVIN, J., Institution: LMU KLINIKUM MUNICH, Country: GERMANY, Abstract-ID: 516

INTRODUCTION:
Adults with Down syndrome (DS) show a markedly increased risk for early cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. In the general population, regular physical exercise has been shown to exert protective effects on cognitive functioning and brain health. However, evidence regarding the effects of structured exercise interventions on cognitive, linguistic, and motor outcomes in adults with DS remains scarce. Moreover, prevention programs that can be sustainably integrated into everyday living environments are largely lacking. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of a structured, DS-specific physical exercise program on language, cognition, and motor performance, designed as a care-oriented intervention aimed at reducing existing gaps in preventive services.
METHODS:
In a randomized controlled trial, 43 adults with DS were randomly assigned to an exercise intervention group (IG) or a control group with delayed intervention (CG). During the primary RCT phase, the IG completed a 6-week structured exercise program, while the CG continued usual daily activities. Between post-test and follow-up of the IG, the CG subsequently received the intervention, whereas the IG entered a no-intervention period to examine sustained effects.
The exercise program comprised three sessions per week, including one group-based training session emphasizing aerobic, coordinative, and strengthening exercises, and two walking sessions of varying intensities. The total study duration for both groups was 24 weeks per collaborating center.
Outcome measures were assessed at pre, post, and follow-up and included standardized assessments of language (e.g., picture naming and verbal fluency), cognitive performance (e.g., executive functions), and motor abilities (e.g., coordination, speed, and strength). Primary intervention effects were examined by comparing pre–post changes between groups using appropriate statistical approaches for repeated-measures data. Follow-up analyses examined potential persistence effects at follow-up.
RESULTS:
Preliminary analyses (n = 18) revealed significant improvements in verbal functions in the IG following the intervention compared with the CG, including semantic verbal fluency (p = 0.016) and letter verbal fluency (p = 0.005). In addition, motor performance improved significantly after the 6-week training period, as indicated by faster performance in the Plate Tapping Test (p = 0.010) and the 20-m sprint (p = 0.013).
CONCLUSION:
This randomized controlled trial addresses a critical gap by examining the multidimensional effects of physical exercise in adults with DS. A first analysis of a subgroup revealed intervention effects. The study supports the implementation of a structured, low-threshold exercise program that is continued by all collaborating centers to help reduce existing gaps in preventive services.