The investigators are assessing acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of an remote choreographed exercise intervention using validated scales alongside qualitative data among young adults with Down Syndrome. Participants will take part in a 12-week exercise program with two 35-minute session per week delivered in a group setting. The aims of the project are to: * Assess the feasibility of a 12 week remotely delivered group dance intervention. * Assess changes in aerobic fitness and cognitive function in response to a 12 week remotely delivered group dance intervention. * Assess the intensity and total energy expenditure of remotely delivered group dance sessions.
The incidence of Alzheimer's disease for persons with Down syndrome exceeds 90%, and physical activity engagement has demonstrated potential to delay onset of Alzheimer's disease for this population. Adults with Down syndrome participate in less physical activity than their counterparts without disability, partially due to unique barriers preventing engagement in typical modalities of physical activity for this population. Dance, which is characterized by rhythmic physical movements offers the potential for social engagement, and stimulation of brain functions may offer a reasonable alternative to traditional physical activity modalities. However, empirical evidence to support the feasibility of a remotely delivered group dance intervention and evaluation of the intensity and energy expenditure achieved by a dance intervention for adults with Down syndrome are currently unavailable and will be the focus of the proposed pilot trial. Adults with Down will be asked to attend 35 minute remotely delivered (Zoom®) group dance sessions twice weekly across 12 weeks to assess the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the intervention, energy expenditure achieved during the exercise sessions, and evaluate change in aerobic fitness and cognitive function after 12 weeks.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
20
Adults with Down syndrome will be asked to attend 35 minute, remotely delivered (Zoom®) group dance sessions twice weekly across 12 weeks. All sessions will be directed by an instructor experienced in leading 35 minute, group remote exercise sessions for individuals with intellectual disability as part of the ongoing exercise program for individuals with intellectual disability offered by the Division for Physical Activity and Weight Management.
University Of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Attendance
Attendance at each 35-minute online exercise classes will be collected. Attendance will be assessed as the number of sessions attended out of the total number of sessions available (24 sessions available).
Time frame: 12 weeks
Retention
Participant retention will be collected based on the number of participants who complete the 12 week intervention. A total of up to 20 participants will be enrolled into the study. Participants that complete the 12-week intervention will be considered retained. Any participant that discontinues participation prior to the end of the 12-week intervention will not be considered retained.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Adverse Events
Adverse events will be collected on a weekly basis.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Energy Expenditure
Energy expenditure during a dance session (kilocalories per minute; Metabolic equivalents (METs) will be assessed by portable indirect calorimetry. Measurement was taken during one class session per participant, between weeks 4-12 of the 12 week intervention.
Time frame: 1 session
Exercise Intensity
Exercise intensity will be assessed as an average of the percent of age-estimated maximal heart rate achieved during dance sessions assessed time spent in moderate to vigorous intensity as defined by the COSMED device.
Time frame: 12 weeks
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