The Impact of Physical Exercise Interventions on Gait Performance in Individuals with Down Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Authors

  • GuoPing Qian Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0472-7130
  • Zbigniew Ossowski Department of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland
  • Sujie Mao Graduate Development Office, Harbin Sport Institute, Harbin, China
  • Yu Wu Department of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland
  • Yintao Niu Department of Physical Education, Chizhou University, Chizhou, China
  • hongli yu College of Physical Education, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong, Sichuan, China

Keywords:

Down syndrome, gait performance, functional mobility, physical exercise, meta-analysis

Abstract

Purpose:The objective of this study was to assess the impact of structured physical exercise on gait performance among
people with Down syndrome (DS), providing evidence-based exercise recommendations.

Methods: A comprehensive search of EBSCO, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus
was conducted up to April 2024 and updated in April 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs comparing
structured physical exercise interventions with non-exercise or usual care controls were included. Meta-analyses were
performed on gait-related outcomes, including the 8-foot Up and Go Test (8UG) and the 6-minute Walking Distance Test
(6MWT). A descriptive synthesis was conducted for outcomes where a meta-analysis was not feasible due to substantial
heterogeneity or insufficiently comparable data across studies.

Results: A total of eight studies (seven RCTs and one quasi-RCT) involving 202 participants were included. Physical exercise
interventions significantly improved 6MWT (mean difference (MD) = 43.19; 95% confidence interval (CI): 19.50 to 66.88; I²
= 0%; P = .0004) and 8UG (MD = .76; 95% CI: .27 to 1.25; I² = 0%; P = .002). The descriptive analysis indicated that physical
exercise may improve walking speed, the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), spatial parameters, and joint kinematics among
individuals with DS.

Conclusion: Preliminary evidence shows that structured physical exercise may be associated with improvements in gait
performance in individuals with DS; however, the overall certainty of the evidence remains low due to the small sample
sizes and methodological limitations. Future high-quality studies are required to validate these findings, compare structured
exercise interventions with active control programs matched for exercise volume, and identify the most effective exercise
modes, intensities, and individualized strategies for gait rehabilitation in this population.

Systematic review registration: INPLASY202540108

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Published

30-09-2025

How to Cite

Qian, G., Ossowski, Z., Mao, S., Wu, Y., Niu, Y., & yu, hongli. (2025). The Impact of Physical Exercise Interventions on Gait Performance in Individuals with Down Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Acta Kinesiologica, 19(3), 4–14. Retrieved from https://akinesiologica.com/ojs_3.3.0-7/index.php/akinesiologica/article/view/503

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 3 (2025): Acta kinesiologica

Section

Systematic Review and Meta Analysis