Nickoletta Angelopoulou

Bone mineral density in adults with Down's syndrome.

Abstract. The objective of the study was to elucidate if individuals with Downs syndrome (DS) are likely to experience an increased risk of osteoporosis with advancing age, in addition to precocious aging and their skeletal anomalies. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in 22 home-reared adults (9 males and 13 females; age 26.22 ± 4.45 and 23.65 ± 3.23 years, respectively) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The BMD of the second to fourth lumbar vertebrae was measured in posteroanterior projection and the mean density expressed as grams per square centimetre. The BMD of DS individuals was compared with 27 control subjects (12 males and 15 females) of the same age (age 24.16 ± 3.46 and 23.86 ± 2.92 years, respectively). The results showed that the BMD of the lumbar spine in the males as well as in the females with DS was significantly lower than that in their control counterparts (p < 0.001). Comparing the DS males with the females, the BMD was lower in the males at a level of 9 %. Factors that contribute to this disorder may be mainly the muscular hypotonia, the sedentary lifestyle and the accompanying diseases which frequently observed in the syndrome. Future studies must be focused on the biochemistry of bone metabolism, the evaluation of gonadal, thyroid and parathyroid function, and the genes of the extra chromosome 21.

JOG-WALK TRAINING IN CARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESS OF ADULTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME'

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an aerobic training program on adults with Down syndrome. 25 male adults with Down syndrome (M age = 24.6 yr., IQs = 45–60) participated in a 12-wk. exercise training study. Subjects were assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 10). Pre- and posttraining treadmill tests were performed to determine the following peak physiological parameters: heart rate (HR peak), peak minute ventilation (VE peak), peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak, absolute and relative), and time to exhaustion (min.). The experimental group underwent a 12-wk. interval training program. The control group received no structured exercise training during this period. Following the 12-wk. training program, significant improvements (p<.05) in peak physiological parameters were seen for the experimental group for VO2 peak (both relative and absolute), VE peak, and time to exhaustion. No significant improvements in peak physiologic parameters were seen in the control group Consistent with prior research using similar subjects, we concluded that adults with Down syndrome are able to improve their aerobic capacity when performing a systematic and well-designed aerobic training program.

Bone mass, gonadal function and biochemical assessment in young men with trisomy 21

OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to find out whether biochemical and hormonal profile of sexual function and mineral metabolism are related to low bone mass in young men with Down syndrome. STUDY DESIGN Eleven young men with trisomy 21 (mean age 26.45 years) and 12 healthy university students of similar age, participated in the study. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar vertebrae was measured in posteroanterior (PA) projection. Sexual development was assessed by clinical examination. The levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), 17-OH progesterone and parathormone (PTH) were measured accordingly by radioimmunoassay. Serum calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) as well as fasting urinary Ca and hydroxyproline (OHP) were also measured. RESULTS BMD in DS patients was significantly lower (P<0.001) compared to their control counterparts. No significant differences were observed in mean concentrations of FSH, testosterone and DHEA-S, while LH and 17-OH progesterone levels were significantly higher in DS compared to control group (P<0.01 and <0.05, respectively). Serum Ca and P and urine Ca/Creat ratio did not differ between groups. OHP/Creat ratio was significantly higher in DS patients. PTH levels were extremely low (1pmol/l) in two patients. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study show decreased bone mass in subjects with DS. Factors, possibly related to low bone mass, are some degree of hypogonadim, hypotonia, low muscular strength and immobility. The findings suggest further research on the biochemistry and endocrinology of bone metabolism in patients with trisomy 21.

ISOKINETIC KNEE MUSCLE STRENGTH OF INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL RETARDATION, A COMPARATIVE STUDY

The purpose of this study was to assess differences in isokinetic muscle torque in the knee among mentally retarded individuals with Down syndrome, mentally retarded individuals without Down syndrome, and sedentary subjects without mental retardation (ns of 7, 8, and 12, respectively). Subjects performed strength tests to knee extension and flexion on a Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer. The measure was peak torque at angular velocities of 60, 120, and 300 degrees/sec. For the Mentally Retarded subjects with and without Down syndrome, the test was performed on two separate days 24 hr. apart. For Sedentary subjects, testing was performed on one day. Their scores indicated significantly higher values of torque than the two other groups. Also, subjects with Down syndrome had inferior muscle torque of lower extremities than peers in the Mentally Retarded Group.

Gonadal function in young women with Down syndrome

Objective: Investigations suggest an increased incidence of gonadal dysfunction in patients with Down syndrome. New features, Alzheimer disease and osteoporosis emerge in these individuals. Therefore, hormonal investigation in persons with Down syndrome is pursued. Methods: Thirteen females with trisomy 21 (23.65±3.23 years old) participated in the study. Ultrasound studies were performed to explore the internal genitals. Blood samples were taken for the determination of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), prolactin (PRL), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA‐S), testosterone (T) and 17‐hydroxyprogesterone (17‐OHP). Results: The patients were at stage V of sexual development. Ultrasonography demonstrated normal uterine and ovarian size and endometrial thickness as well. The ovaries of all patients contained follicles of normal distribution and various sizes. The mean concentrations of FSH, DHEA‐S and E2 were normal. The level of PRL was significantly higher than that of the controls, but within the normal lab range. The levels of LH, T and 17‐OHP were significantly elevated, compared to those of the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Our data produce new information on the gonadal function of Down syndrome women. Specific studies on pituitary‐gonadal and pituitary‐adrenal axis function are needed.

The effect of interval training in children with exercise-induced asthma competing in soccer.

A lot of emphasis has been placed in screening individuals with exercise-induced bronchospasm in order to avoid persistence bronchial hyperactivity and consequent chronic silent inflammation of the respiratory tract. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of interval training on the respiratory function and endurance in children with exercise-induced asthma (EIA) participating in the sport of soccer. Twenty-nine boys ages 10–14, who developed EIA after a 6-minute free running test (decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second: FEV110%), participated in the study. They were divided into 2 groups (experimental: n = 18, and control: n = 11), fulfilling the same criteria (i.e., age, body height and weight, and severity of asthma). The experimental group exercised with the interval training method for a period of 8 weeks, (3 sessions per week), whereas the control group exercised with the usual football program. Measurements were made for FEV1 and endurance in both groups, before and after the application of training (8 weeks). Following the implementation of the training program, a significant improvement in FEV1 and endurance was documented in the experimental group, as well as significant differences between the 2 groups. In conclusion, duration and aerobic training via the interval method seems to be beneficial to soccer players with EIA.

The effect of a rhythmic gymnastics program on the dynamic balance ability of individuals with intellectual disability

Fotiadou, EG, Neofotistou, KH, Sidiropoulou, MP, Tsimaras, VK, Mandroukas, AK, and Angelopoulou, NA. The effect of a rhythmic gymnastics program on the dynamic balance ability of individuals with intellectual disability. J Strength Cond Res 23(7): 2102-2106, 2009-The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a rhythmic gymnastics program on the dynamic balance ability of a group of adults with intellectual disability (ID). The sample consisted of 18 adults with ID. The control group consisted of 8 adults and an intervention group of 10. The subjects were assigned to each group according to their desire to participate or not in the intervention program. Both groups were comparable in terms of age, weight, height, IQ, and socioeconomic background. The intervention group received a 12-week rhythmic gymnastics program at a frequency of 3 lessons per week, of 45 minutes. The methods of data collection included pre/post-test measurements of the dynamic balance for all subjects of both groups. The dynamic balance ability was measured by means of a balance deck (Lafayette) and was determined by the number of seconds the subject could remain standing on the platform of the stabilometer in durations of 30-, 45-, and 60-second intervals. As the results indicated, the intervention group showed a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) in terms of dynamic balance ability in each interval after the application of the rhythmic gymnastics program when compared with the control group. It is concluded that adults with ID can improve their balance ability with the application of a well-designed rhythmic gymnastics program.

Effect of rhythmic gymnastics on the dynamic balance of children with deafness

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a rhythmic gymnastics programme on the dynamic balance ability of a group of children with deafness. The sample consisted of 29 children with deafness. The subjects met the same criteria in terms of age, aetiology, hearing level, intelligence, school placement and socioeconomic status, and in this way, they were assigned to two groups of 12 and 17 children, for the control and experimental groups respectively. The experimental group received a 16-week rhythmic gymnastic programme at a frequency of three lessons per week, for 40 minutes, whereas the control group adhered to its regular school routine. The methods of data collection included pre-/post-test measurements of the dynamic balance for all participants of both groups. The dynamic balance ability was measured by means of a balance deck (Lafayette) in duration of 30, 45 and 60 s intervals. The findings of this study provide evidence that the specific rhythmic gymnastic programme facilitates significant improvement in the dynamic balance ability of this sample of children with deafness.

The Effect of Residence Area and Mother's Education on Motor Development of Preschool-Aged Children in Greece.

Development occurs according to the rhythm that is established by the genetic potential and the influence of environmental factors. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the child’s residence area and maternal education on child’s motor development. Eight hundred children (384 boys and 416 girls, aged 37–72 months), randomly selected from daycare centres and kindergartens of rural and urban areas of Northern Greece, were tested on the two motor subscales (A, locomotor; and D, eye–hand coordination) of the Griffiths Test No II. With respect to their residence, 610 children lived in urban and 190 lived in rural areas. In terms of education, 530 mothers were formally educated and 270 were highly educated. The results of this study suggest that motor development of preschool‐aged children is associated with both factors examined. Children who lived in urban areas had better performance on fine motor abilities than children who lived in rural areas. In contrast, rural children had a higher developmental quotient than urban children on the locomotor scale. With regard to mother’s education, children of highly educated mothers had a higher mean developmental quotient on both scales. The findings reinforce the need for a safe and opportunity‐rich environment, which ensures that children reach their full developmental potential.

Effect of Rhythmic Gymnastics on the Rhythm Perception of Children With Deafness

This study was designed to examine the effect of a rhythmic gymnastics program on the rhythm perception of children with deafness. Two groups—control and experiment—of 12 and 17 children, respectively, coming from the same school for the deaf participated in this study. The duration of the program for the individuals in the experiment group was 16 weeks (at a frequency of 3 lessons per week, for 40 minutes each lesson), while children of both groups adhered to their regular school schedules. Five rhythmic patterns in 3 speeds (tempi) were reproduced both by a metronome and each childs performance and were recorded on a digital disk before and after the application of the program. The rate of time deviation (in seconds) between the 2 beats represented the score for each child. The average rate of the 5 rhythmic patterns in each tempo was calculated separately, giving 3 scores (one for every tempo) for each child. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. The data revealed significant postexercise differences in favor of the experiment group, an improvement of the experiment group in all pre-post values, as well as an improved medium tempo with relation to the control group. The findings show the effectiveness of the specific program in terms of improving rhythm ability, thus indicating its use in educating children with deafness on rhythm instead of preferring the routine of the adapted school program.