Abstrait

Effect of arm ergometry training on pulmonary function in children with down syndrome

Reham AA Abouelkheir, Mohamed E Khalil, Ashwag Saleh Alsharidah, Hanaa Mohsen Abd-Elfattah*

Objective: The aim of the current research was to evaluate the efficiency of upper-limb aerobic exercise (arm ergometry) in improving pulmonary function in Down syndrome children. Methods: This study included thirty Down syndrome children (boys and girls). All participants were randomly separated into two groups of equal size (A&B). Group A received traditional chest physical therapy while Group B received an arm ergometry training program. A Discovery spirometer was used to assess pulmonary functions both Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1) and Peak Expiratory Volume (PEV) was measured. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups before the treatment program in all of the evaluated parameters. Post-treatment data’s showed significant improvements in group B compared to group A (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be stated that the arm ergometry training program which used in this study is an effective therapeutic program that can be used to improve pulmonary functions in children with Down syndrome.