The relationship between exercise and executive function in individuals with Down syndrome

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Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Alabama Libraries
Abstract

Executive function is a set of processes that are responsible for organizing and controlling goal oriented behavior, especially in novel situations (Banich, 2009) and there is mounting evidence that exercise improves executive function. It is also a known deficit in individuals with Down syndrome. The current study investigated if there is a relationship between exercise and executive function in Down syndrome. Participants were children and adults ages 6-18 who have previously been diagnosed with Down syndrome. We found no relationship between exercise and executive function, but many important descriptive findings emerged from the study. Specifically, the current study includes novel information related to average steps per day in a population in Down syndrome, replicated the executive function profile found in previous research, and contributes many important methodological suggestions for future studies investigating the relationship between exercise and executive function in Down syndrome.

Description
Electronic Thesis or Dissertation
Keywords
Cognitive psychology, Psychology
Citation