Group-based Resistance Training for Adults With Down Syndrome; a Feasibility Pilot Randomised Control Crossover Trial
Group-based Resistance Training for Adults With Down Syndrome; a Feasibility Pilot Randomised Control Crossover Trial
The investigators are interested in Resistance Training as a physical exercise intervention for adults with Down syndrome. Resistance Training (or RT for short) is a popular form of physical exercise, which focuses on improving muscle strength and endurance using weighted or resistance-based exercises. RT can involve 'lifting weights', doing resistance band movements or performing bodyweight exercises. Researchers have developed a tailored programme of RT exercises (called RESID), which are suitable and safe to implement for individuals with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. RT has been shown to help people improve thinking skills and overall quality of life. RT has been associated with better brain health in older adults with memory problems. The investigators want to run the RESID exercise programme with adults with Down syndrome who do not have memory problems but who the investigators know are at much greater risk of developing memory problems as they get older. The investigators are hoping this programme will support brain health and healthy ageing in adults with Down syndrome. The investigators want to see this programme can be successfully run with people with intellectual disabilities. The investigators want to see if participants enjoy this programme and engage well with it. The investigators want to see if there are any barriers to participating in this programme. The investigators also want to see how much it will cost to run this programme again in the future. The investigators also want to see if this programme helps these adults to feel better about themselves, to have better memory skills, to have better day-to-day skills, and to have better strength and mobility. The investigators will measure study outcomes using self-report scales, a memory assessment, strength test, mobility tests, blood pressure/heart rate test and by getting information from caregivers. The investigators will use the same measures with a similar group of adults who initially do not take part in this programme. They will be called our services as usual control group. During the first group, these adults will attend usual weekly services. However, they will be offered a place on a RT programme after the first experimental group have finished. The investigators will decide the order of who takes part in which initial group (Experimental or Control) by drawing names out of a hat so that it will be as fair as possible. However, all participants in this study will eventually take part in the RT programme. The investigators hope this study will tell us a lot about running a RT programme for people with intellectual disabilities. The investigators hope the results of this research study will show that adults with Down syndrome enjoy and engage well with this programme and that RT has benefits for adults with Down syndrome who do not memory problems. The investigators hope to show that RT can support the healthy ageing of adults with Down syndrome.
The proposed study intends to measure the feasibility and efficacy of a standardised group-based resistance training (RT) exercise program for adults with an intellectual disability (ID) at high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the future. Adults with Down syndrome (DS) are at "ultra-high" risk of developing AD as they age. However, there is a dearth of research studies focusing on brain health strategies for this population. Physical activity (PA) is emerging as key brain health booster. PA has been shown to affect brain plasticity influencing both cognition and well-being. Encouragingly, there is emerging evidence that PA can boost cognitive reserve in adults with DS. RT is a popular form of physical exercise, which focuses on improving muscle strength using weighted or resistance-based exercises. RT has been shown to be an important dementia risk-reduction strategy for adults in the general population. A standardised resistance exercise set for a total body workout for adults with mild or moderate intellectual disabilities (RESID) has recently been developed. The current research will focus on evaluating the benefits of this RESID programme for adults with DS who are at "ultra-high" risk of developing AD in the future. The study will be conducted as a pilot randomised control crossover trial with all participants eventually receiving the RT intervention. Study results will contribute significantly to our understanding of the impact of proactive RT on key health and well-being outcomes for adults with Down Syndrome.
The information collected in this study will be limited to the information that is needed to answer the research study questions. With the consent of participants, the investigators will seek to place some of the assessment information on participants' Clinical (Psychology) File. This information will be important for the person if there are concerns about memory/cognitive skills in the future. This information will be stored safely on the Psychology File and will only be accessed by the Psychology Team. The investigators will also seek to deposit the anonymous data from this study in a secure anonymous data register for future research projects but only where these projects are approved by a Research Ethics Committee. With the participants' consent, the investigators will seek to deposit an anonymous data file derived from this study in a secure anonymous future Saint John of God Data register by the year 2034 to be used for future research projects but only where these projects are approved by a Research Ethics Committee. This data register has not yet been built but the investigators want to fully inform the potential participants of what will happen to the anonymous data derived from personal data.
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