On the importance of promoting physical activity for young people with Down syndrome

Lars Kristén
Halmstad University, Sweden

The Swedish book Fysisk aktivitet för unga med Downs syndrome, in English “Physical activity for young people with Down syndrome” from 2024, edited by Gerth Hedov and Ann-Christin Sollerhed, is an exemplary review of opportunities and obstacles for young people with Down syndrome to practice physical activity. The merits of the book also include a solid background description of the disability as well as an interweaving of didactic, medical and educational aspects that characterize the lives of young people with Down syndrome. Children and young people with Down syndrome often have lower muscle strength, motor ability and fitness than other young people without disabilities. They also have obesity problems that can lead to an increased risk of health problems such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It is therefore important that they are physically active to achieve health and well-being. The purpose of the book is to inspire and inform so that more children and young people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to develop their motor skills in order to be physically active.

The book is aimed at students on teacher training and those active in preschools, schools, leisure centers and health care, as well as sports leaders in clubs and associations. It is also interesting for parents and other relatives of children with Down syndrome and for anyone with an interest in Down syndrome. The book is pedagogically laid out with clear chapter division and introductory summary as well as a concluding reflection in each sub-chapter. The authors state that the area has not been researched to any greater degree but have nevertheless compiled a solid reference list with articles from different parts of the world that strengthen the value of knowledge about physical activity for young people with Down syndrome.

Congenital heart defects, muscle weakness, hypermobile joints and breathing difficulties are common symptoms, which affect as well as necessitate the performance of physical activity of children with this diagnosis.

The book’s opening chapter highlights basic factors and physical and behavioral characteristics of the disability. The authors state that every year 100–150 children with Down syndrome are born in Sweden with the same need for physical activity and good lifestyle habits for a healthy lifestyle as other children. Congenital heart defects, muscle weakness, hypermobile joints and breathing difficulties are common symptoms, which affect as well as necessitate the performance of physical activity of children with this diagnosis. Both ventilation and heart rate are lower, making it difficult to participate in high-intensity activities. The following chapters generally describe the area of ​​physical activity and specifically for young people with Down syndrome with reflection on poorer motor skills and motivational problems, which leads to the importance of having physically active parents. Children and young people with Down syndrome move less than other young people and are often completely dependent on the family for their exercise and health. Children and young people who have physically active parents are more likely to engage in various physical activities. The parents are worried about the children’s low level of physical activity. The energy, time and know-how are simply not enough to activate the children, and there is not a large range of suitable sports available. The parents feel that their children do not fit into non-disabled children’s sports training and sometimes experience difficulties in the school’s physical education. This may be because the children find it difficult to follow instructions and rules and disrupt the activities.

The parents are also calling for better competence among physical education teachers and coaches, for example basic knowledge about Down syndrome. They also want forms of training where the children can fend for themselves and develop based on their motor conditions. In the chapter “This is Tilly”, a nice personal portrait is given of a girl with Down syndrome and what characterizes all parts of life from birth and upbringing. The parental role is also affected.

The concluding chapters address aspects of the home environment and what is required of motivation and content in the day, which leads to the school’s responsibility for students’ physical activity and movement there and in their free time. Young people with Down syndrome move less than other young people and are often completely dependent on the family for their exercise and health. Parents are calling for better competence of physical education teachers and sports leaders and a greater and varied range of movement and training for their children.

In summary, the authors describe the importance of physical activity being playful for all children, regardless of functional ability, and this applies both in school and in sports movement. This applies to the highest degree to children and young people with Down syndrome who, to a greater extent than peers without functional impairment, exhibit poorer physical and mental health. Adapted physical activity and consideration of individual needs as well as an understanding teacher, trainer with both didactic, medical and pedagogical knowledge promote participation in physical activities for these children and young people.

A success factor can be to give children and young people with Down syndrome time to practice different physical activities based on their own conditions and to repeat the different exercises on several different occasions. Also to focus on what opportunities the children and young people have in combination with focusing on the activities they find meaningful and based on these develop the physical activity with exercises in the chosen area. Positive feedback and praise for the smallest progress is very important, especially for these children and young people. It is important that they get to train in an environment that allows mistakes and where physical education teachers, sports leaders and other participants give positive feedback and encourage continued activity.

Copyright © Lars Kristén 2024