Walking performance in adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome: the role of obesity and sleep problems.

Obesity and sleep problem are potentially detrimental to walking performance (i.e., fewer walking steps) in individuals with DS. Thus, individuals with DS may adopt a slow walk speed due to the increased balance deficits and physical fatigue that result from obesity and sleep fragmentation, respectively. Exercise interventions, which have the potential to reduce obesity and OSA, are recommended to improve the accomplishment of PWC in individuals with DS.