Effects of Stretch-shortening Cycle Exercises Postural Control in Down Syndrome

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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To investigate the effect of a 3-month, trampoline-based stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercises on muscle strength and postural control in children with Down syndrome.

Detailed Description
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a variety of physical therapy techniques are being used to improve lower limb muscle strength and postural control in children with Down syndrome including, but not limited to, progressive resistance training, hippotherapy, aquatic therapy, and isokinetic strength training. Stretch-shortening (SSC) exercises-also referred to as plyometric exercises, is a traditional form of resistance training that involves three-phase muscle contraction during dynamic movements (like jumping and hopping), where the muscle moves rapidly through the eccentric, isometric, and concentric phases.

Official Title
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Distinct Effects of Trampoline-based Stretch-shortening Cycle Exercises on Muscle Strength and Postural Control in Children With Down Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Study

Conditions
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Down Syndrome

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Standard physical therapy
* Other: trampoline-based stretch-shortening cycle exercises


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: age between 7 and 9 years. able to follow one step motor commands. independent ambulators. not suffering from atlantoaxial joint instability as reported from their medical files. Exclusion Criteria: Children with un-corrected cardiac anomalies. Children with un-corrected vision or hearing loss. Children with un-corrected pulmonary disorders. Children with un-corrected neurological signs as epilepsy. Children who had a history of musculoskeletal surgery in the lower extremities through the past year.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 7 Years
Maximum Age: 9 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: standard physical therapy<br>Participants in the standard physical therapy received the standard physical therapy (sPT) program, which was conducted according to the needs of each participant and was generally concerned with building strength, enhancing developmental skills, boosting balance, coordination, and postural control, improving physical fitness, and minimizing the development of the compensatory movement patterns that children with DS are likely to develop. | Other: Standard physical therapy<br>* building strength, enhancing developmental skills, boosting balance, coordination, and postural control<br>* Other names: physical fitness;|
| Experimental: trampoline-based stretch-shortening cycle exercises<br>In addition to the sPT, the SSC group received 15-minute SSC exercise sessions, twice weekly, with a total of 24 sessions over 12 successive weeks. | Other: trampoline-based stretch-shortening cycle exercises<br>* muscle strength<br>* Other names: postural control;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Grade of Muscle strength by hand-held dynamometer | A calibrated hand-held dynamometer (Micro FET2, Hoggan Health Technologies Inc., UT, USA) was used | at baseline | 
| Grade of Muscle strength by hand-held dynamometer | A calibrated hand-held dynamometer (Micro FET2, Hoggan Health Technologies Inc., UT, USA) was used | after 12 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Postural control index by Balance Biodex System | Postural stability indices were assessed through the Balance Biodex System (Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, NY), | at baseline | 
| Postural control index by Balance Biodex System | Postural stability indices were assessed through the Balance Biodex System (Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, NY), | after 12 weeks |