The International Summit on Health Benefits of Physical Fitness: methods and outcomes
- Nicolas Oreskovic (MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston, MA)
Correspondence: NORESKOVIC@mgh.harvard.edu
Individuals with Down syndrome experience unique biological, physiological, and socio-environmental characteristics that can collectively contribute to lower levels of physical fitness and physical activity throughout the lifespan. In 2015, the first International Summit on Health Benefits of Physical Fitness for People with Down Syndrome brought together scientific experts from around the world, Down syndrome organizations, fitness-related community services and industries, and self-advocates to review the existing science on physical fitness in Down syndrome, identify gaps in knowledge, and propose future research and learning opportunities. This talk will provide an overview of the first International Summit on Health Benefits of Physical Fitness for People with Down Syndrome, including a review of what was learned regarding the current science and ongoing knowledge gaps, important scientific findings on fitness in Down syndrome shared at the Summit, key lessons learned, the process for developing the first expert-based recommendations on physical fitness in Down syndrome, and a review of the recommendations by age. The talk with conclude with a Questions and Answers session.
