The Role of Lower Limb Strength In Postural Control In People With Intellectual Disabilities, Specifically Down Syndrome

Gollier, Cooper

Publication

The Role of Lower Limb Strength In Postural Control In People With Intellectual Disabilities, Specifically Down Syndrome

Gollier, Cooper

Date

2022

Additional date(s)

5/19/2022

Abstract

Objective: To review the current status of research on the role of lower limb strength in postural control in people with intellectual disabilities, specifically Down syndrome. Data Sources: All articles were published from 2000 to 2021 and retrieved through the electronic databases PubMed and SportDISCUS using keywords [lower limb strength], [postural control], [balance], [Down syndrome], [intellectual disability], and/or [disability]. Study Selection: Studies selected for review were peer reviewed and included and used lower limb strength as the independent variable and balance as the dependent variable. Of the initial 142 articles retrieved, 11 met the criteria for this study. Data Extraction: Pre- and post-intervention studies and treatment and control studies were used. Their means and standard deviations were extracted to compute effect sizes using a Cohen's D effect size calculator. Data Synthesis: Of 11 articles, four were found to have a positive effect (> 0.8). Four other articles were found to have a negative effect (< -0.8). The remaining three articles were found to have little to no effect (-0.8 - 0.8). Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated some significant effects of strength or strength training on balance. The measures with a positive effect were strength measures that included the entire lower limb working as a unit.