World Down Syndrome Day is a day to raise awareness and promote understanding about the lives, challenges, abilities, and accomplishments of individuals with Down syndrome. At Inclusive Fitness, we are especially cognizant of the importance of supporting and enhancing the lives of people with Down syndrome through evidence-based strength and conditioning training. It’s no secret that we are enormously proud of our amazing DS athletes and are eager to help them – like all our neurodivergent athletes – benefit from increased strength, improved health outcomes, greater confidence, and higher levels of social engagement through their work at Inclusive Fitness.
The Role of Exercise in Increasing Strength, Endurance, and Flexibility
People with Down syndrome often experience low muscle tone (hypotonia) and may have a more challenging time developing strength compared to their peers without Down syndrome. Exercise plays a significant role in increasing muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility. Resistance training, a key feature of our programming at Inclusive Fitness, has been shown to improve muscular strength in people with Down syndrome. Besides developing greater strength, regular exercise helps in motor skill development, balance, and coordination, which are essential for overall physical fitness. Moreover, strength training can contribute to an individual’s ability to perform daily activities and reduce the risk of injury.
The Benefits of Resistance Training and Functional Movements for Daily Activities, Reducing Injury, and Positive Impact on Mental Health
At Inclusive Fitness, we focus on functional movements and full-body workouts that generalize to activities of daily living (or ADLs). From developing lower body and grip strength for lifting groceries, learning to squat properly and with stability to pick up objects and do cleaning and other chores, to improving trunk stability to engage in sports, work in the yard, do laundry, and many more activities, our athletes with DS prove every day the importance of becoming strong and staying active.As is the case for every person, exercise offers many general health benefits to people with Down syndrome, who may be at higher risk for obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. Regular physical activity can help prevent or manage these conditions by promoting healthy weight, improving cardiovascular fitness, and increasing insulin sensitivity. Physical activity can also improve bone health, which is particularly important for people with Down syndrome, who may be at a higher risk for osteoporosis. Doing weight-bearing exercises, which every IF athlete does during every session, can help maintain bone density and prevent fractures.
We all know that physical fitness can positively impact self-esteem and overall emotional well-being. People with Down syndrome are, of course, no different. Those who engage in regular physical activity tend to have higher self-esteem, lower levels of anxiety and depression, and better emotional regulation. Additionally, exercise can help reduce stress and promote a sense of accomplishment, contributing to improved mental health. We see this every day at Inclusive Fitness, which is why we make a point of celebrating success during virtually every session – not just for the sake of celebration, but because they’ve earned it with their hard work! As we often say, “Fun is transient. Achievement lasts.” Both are important and good, but accomplishing something leaves a long-lasting positive impact on every person’s self-esteem.
The Social Benefits of Group Sessions for Neurodivergent Athletes
Finally, the exercise sessions we provide at IF create opportunities for neurodivergent athletes, including those with Down syndrome, to engage in social interactions, build relationships, and develop communication and other social skills. Whether working one-on-one with a coach, exercising alongside others, or joining one of our group fitness classes, our athletes foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie. It’s also just a ton of fun for both the athletes and the coaches!
On World Down Syndrome Day 2023, we celebrate the lives of people with Down Syndrome. We’re proud to be a part of this amazing community and of all our neurodivergent athletes’ competence, perseverance, and determination. We join them in their journey to become their healthiest selves!
