The Impact Of The Gamesquad Exergaming Intervention For Young Adults With Down Syndrome On Functional Fitness.

PURPOSE: Adults with Down Syndrome (DS) face unique barriers to MVPA. Exergames are a home-based exercise option which has shown effectiveness for increasing MVPA in typically developed populations. An exergaming intervention with individual health coaching sessions called GameSquad has demonstrated effectiveness in improving MVPA in children with overweight/obesity and adolescents with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diagnoses, though changes to functional fitness measures are unknown. The purpose of this study was to conduct a 12-week trial to assess the feasibility of GameSquad for adults with DS. METHODS: Adults with DS were given a video gaming console and the exergame Ring-Fit AdventureTM. Ring-Fit AdventureTM is a novel exergame that uses both a resistance ring and body weight to perform numerous upper and lower body cardiovascular and resistance exercises. Participants were instructed to play the game for 120 minutes per week and attend weekly (15-minute) virtual health coaching sessions, during which an individual health coach promoted game usage, troubleshot problems with technology, and collected self-reported minutes of gameplay. Outcomes included functional fitness test results (grip-strength, leg-press, timed up and go, 6-minute walk, y-balance test). Paired Sample t-tests were conducted to detail changes from pre to post. RESULTS: 20 adults with DS (M age = 23.2, 85% non-Hispanic white, 65% female) enrolled and completed the trial. Participants attended 93% of coaching sessions and 90% met the weekly gameplay goal. A significant increase in leg-press was noted (p = .02). No significant changes were noted in grip-strength (p = .78), timed up and go (p = .69), 6-minute walk (p = .88), y-balance test (p = .21). CONCLUSIONS: Attendance to coaching sessions and adherence to the weekly usage goal were high. Lower-body strength increased among this sample. At-home exergaming interventions may present an effective option to increase functional fitness among young adults with DS. Supported by: Healthy Weight Research Network for Children with ASD/DD Pilot Award (UA3MC25735). Center for Children's Healthy Lifestyles and Nutrition Pilot Award (No number).