Effects of calcium and training on the development of bone density in children with Down syndrome.
Three short weight-bearing sessions each week grow stronger hip bones in kids with Down syndrome better than supplements alone.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Researchers split the kids with Down syndrome into four groups. One group did weight-bearing exercise three times a week. One got a calcium-rich drink. One got both. One got neither.
The kids were 7-12 years old. After six months the team measured bone density in the hip.
What they found
Exercise plus calcium won. The combo raised hip bone density twice as much as exercise alone. Calcium alone barely moved the needle.
Kids who only exercised still gained more bone than kids who only drank extra calcium.
How this fits with other research
Geurts et al. (2008) showed young adults with Down syndrome already have weak spine bones. Mohammad’s team tested the fix while kids are still growing.
Meier et al. (2012) found these kids sit most of the day. The new study proves even three short weekly sessions can push bone density up.
Waldron et al. (2023) saw low bone mass in Brazilian adults despite normal BMI and some activity. That warning fits with Mohammad: without early weight-bearing, bones stay fragile.
Why it matters
You can’t change genes, but you can add jumping, stair climbing, or light weights to any clinic or home program. Three 45-minute blocks a week are enough. Start young, track hip BMD yearly, and pair movement with a calcium-rich snack. Stronger bones now mean fewer fractures later.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
In this study we examined the effects of physical training and calcium intake on the development of bone mineral density (BMD) in children with Down syndrome (DS). A total of 48 children with DS (age 7-12 years old) matched for age and BMD were assigned to four groups exercise and calcium intake (Ex(+)Ca(+)), calcium intake-no-exercise (Ex(-)Ca(+)), exercise no-calcium intake (Ex(+)Ca(-)) and non-exercise-no-calcium intake (Ex(-)Ca(-)). The training protocol included 45 min of weight bearing exercise performed 3 sessions per week in addition to dietary calcium rich food intake of enriched cow milk with vitamin D containing 200 mg calcium per serving or no enriched dietary supplement for a duration of 4 months. Data analysis was performed on data by using t-test, one-way ANOVA analysis and Tukey post hoc tests to determine the main and combined effects of training and calcium regiment on BMD. All groups showed greater femoral neck BMD after 4 months. The increase in femoral neck BMD in the Ex(+)Ca(+) group was 5.96% greater than the Ex(+)Ca(-) group (p<0.01). The effect of training was greater than calcium intake alone. The Ex(+)Ca(-) group achieved 3.52% greater BMD than Ex(-)Ca(+) group (p<0.01). In this study, all the experimental groups had greater BMD than the no-calcium-no-exercise group that served as the control group (p<0.01). It was concluded that additional weight bearing exercise and calcium supplementation resulted in a greater increase in BMD in children with DS.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2013 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2013.08.037