People with intellectual disability have the capacity to improve their muscle strength with progressive resistance training (Shields and Dodd 2004). In progressive resistance training, high loads are lifted for a low number of repetitions before muscular fatigue, and the load learn more is progressed as the person gets stronger (American College of Sports Medicine 2009). Only four trials have investigated the effects of progressive resistance training in people with Down syndrome (Davis and Sinning 1987, Rimmer et al 2004, Shields et al 2008, Weber and French 1988). These

studies found improved upper (Davis and Sinning 1987, Rimmer et al 2004, Weber and French 1988) and lower limb muscle strength with training (Rimmer et al 2004, Weber and French 1988). Only one of these studies investigated the effect of progressive resistance training in adolescents with Down syndrome (Weber and French 1988), but it did not include a control group in its design, the assessors were not blind to group allocation, and it did not report the effects of the training on functional activities. Therefore, because of potential biases in research design, it is not known to what extent the reported effects are due to the intervention, or if any improvements in muscle strength carried over into an improved ability to complete functional

tasks. Adolescence is a strategic time to implement an exercise program as establishing good exercise habits early Adriamycin in life is an important predictor of continued healthy activity patterns in adulthood (Telama et al 2005). Children with Down syndrome become less active during adolescence (Shields et al 2009). It is especially important for young people with Down syndrome to exercise because they have lower cardiovascular fitness than their peers without disability (Baynard et al 2008). The causes of their lower fitness are Endonuclease unclear but are due in part to their low peak heart rate (approximately 30% below expected) and may be due to

their reduced physical activity levels, ventilatory difficulties, and reduced muscle strength (Khalili and Elkins 2009; Baynard et al 2008). People with Down syndrome are also predisposed to a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease (Hill et al 2003), diabetes (Hermon et al 2001), osteoporosis and obesity, and so are more susceptible to a premature and significant decline in function as they age (Rimmer et al 2004). It is also a pertinent time because future employment may be dependent on their physical ability. Adolescents with Down syndrome should be encouraged to engage in exercise as they transition to adulthood. However, they face significant barriers to participation in exercise including a need for someone to exercise with (Heller et al 2002) and a need for suitable programs (Menear 2007).