Bone mineral density and respiratory muscle strength in male individuals with mental retardation (with and without Down Syndrome).
Adults with Down syndrome have weaker breathing muscles and lower bone density, and the two are linked—strengthening breathing muscles might reduce osteoporosis risk.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Researchers tested the adult men. Half had intellectual disability. Half of those also had Down syndrome.
They measured how hard each man could breathe in and out. They also scanned their bones for density.
A control group of 20 men without age and size served as the baseline.
What they found
Men with intellectual disability had weaker breathing muscles. Their bone density was also lower.
The Down syndrome group scored worst on both tests. Weak breathing strength matched low bone density.
The link was strong. Weaker lungs meant weaker bones.
How this fits with other research
Westendorp et al. (2014) asked older adults with ID why they move less. They said health problems and low confidence stop them. Maldaner now shows one clear health problem: weak breathing muscles.
Anonymous (2019) mapped memory and language across ages in Down syndrome. The new study adds that poor breathing may quietly feed bone loss in the same adults.
Together, the papers build a full picture. Down syndrome brings language, memory, and now bone-breathing risks.
Why it matters
If you serve adults with Down syndrome, screen breathing strength. Simple handheld meters cost under $50. Add light breathing exercises to daily routines. Stronger lungs may slow bone loss and cut fracture risk.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the respiratory muscle strength (RMS) in individuals with mental retardation (MR), with or without Down Syndrome (DS), and its association with bone mineral density (BMD). Forty-five male individuals (15 with DS, 15 with mental retardation (MR) and 15 apparently healthy controls), aged 20-35, participated in this study. Subject assessment included pulmonary function tests, RMS (maximal inspiratory pressure, MIP, and maximal expiratory pressure, MEP) and BMD of the second and fourth lumbar vertebrae. ANOVA was used to test differences amongst groups. Tukey post hoc test was utilized when significant differences were detected with ANOVA. Bivariate correlation for BMD and respiratory muscle strength was calculated with Pearson's coefficient of correlation. Individuals with MR, both with and without DS, have lower FEV1, FVC, MIP and MEP (p<0.001) compared to controls. Individuals with DS also had lower BMD, which was associated with lower MIP and MEP. Hypotonia, sedentary lifestyle and obesity are factors that may explain lower MIP and MEP in DS. Strategies to increase RMS could decrease the risk of osteoporosis in the DS population.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2010 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2010.05.003