Adapting Physical Activity Measurement and Promotion Strategies for Individuals with Down syndrome
Presentation Type
Keynote Speaker
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal condition in the United States affecting 6,000 (1 in every 700) newborns each year. The prevalence of those living with DS has increased from 50,000 to 270,000 in the past 70 years. Like the general population, individuals with DS benefit from being physically active to reduce their risk of chronic disease. However, studies report that less than 10% of individuals with DS are meeting the physical activity recommendations. Our multidisciplinary team of researchers and fitness professionals from Kansas City, KS has delivered physical activity programming to hundreds of individuals with DS, and we plan to share how we have adapted physical activity measurement and promotion strategies for this population. We will talk about some of the physiological and biomechanical differences that we see in individuals with DS, including muscle hypotonia, gait abnormalities, joint hyperlaxity, and heart defects, and will discuss how we have altered our approach to fitness assessments and exercise programming to adapt to these differences. We will also discuss methods for enhancing motivation and engagement during a physical activity program using goal setting, interactive remote health coaching sessions, and self-determination theory. We will describe why involving the caregiver in the program may be important for physical activity and health, including tips for how to interact with people who have DS and their caregivers depending on their level of support needs. Attendees will learn about an adaptive, functional fitness program for individuals with DS while having an opportunity to ask questions to our panel and discuss physical activity programming for individuals with DS.
Key Learning Objectives
- Describe the physiological and biomechanical differences in individuals with DS and how to alter fitness assessments and exercise programming.
- Discuss strategies for enhancing motivation and engagement during a physical activity program using goal setting and self-determination theory with specific examples in individuals with DS.
- Understand the role of a caregiver in an exercise program and learn how engaging the caregiver may increase physical activity and improve health for the individual with DS.
Adapting Physical Activity Measurement and Promotion Strategies for Individuals with Down syndrome
Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal condition in the United States affecting 6,000 (1 in every 700) newborns each year. The prevalence of those living with DS has increased from 50,000 to 270,000 in the past 70 years. Like the general population, individuals with DS benefit from being physically active to reduce their risk of chronic disease. However, studies report that less than 10% of individuals with DS are meeting the physical activity recommendations. Our multidisciplinary team of researchers and fitness professionals from Kansas City, KS has delivered physical activity programming to hundreds of individuals with DS, and we plan to share how we have adapted physical activity measurement and promotion strategies for this population. We will talk about some of the physiological and biomechanical differences that we see in individuals with DS, including muscle hypotonia, gait abnormalities, joint hyperlaxity, and heart defects, and will discuss how we have altered our approach to fitness assessments and exercise programming to adapt to these differences. We will also discuss methods for enhancing motivation and engagement during a physical activity program using goal setting, interactive remote health coaching sessions, and self-determination theory. We will describe why involving the caregiver in the program may be important for physical activity and health, including tips for how to interact with people who have DS and their caregivers depending on their level of support needs. Attendees will learn about an adaptive, functional fitness program for individuals with DS while having an opportunity to ask questions to our panel and discuss physical activity programming for individuals with DS.
Key Learning Objectives
- Describe the physiological and biomechanical differences in individuals with DS and how to alter fitness assessments and exercise programming.
- Discuss strategies for enhancing motivation and engagement during a physical activity program using goal setting and self-determination theory with specific examples in individuals with DS.
- Understand the role of a caregiver in an exercise program and learn how engaging the caregiver may increase physical activity and improve health for the individual with DS.