OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on physical fitness in children with Down syndrome (DS). DESIGN: A randomised control trial. SETTING: The study was conducted in a private physical therapy centre. PARTICIPANTS: Forty boys and girls with DS aged between 7 and 10 years were enrolled in this study. They were randomly and equally divided into two groups (A and B). INTERVENTIONS: All participants received 30 min of aerobic exercise training thrice per week for 12 weeks, whereas group B received an additional 30 min of IMT before each aerobic exercise session. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURE: Physical fitness of the participants was assessed before and after the treatment using the six-minute walk test (6MWT), Gio Digital Pressure Gauge, and Brockport physical fitness test (BPFT). RESULTS: This study measured maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), submaximal aerobic endurance using the 6MWT, strength, and endurance using the curl-up, dumbbell press, trunk lift, standing long jump, seated push-up, pull-up, flexed-arm hang, and back saver sit and reach tests. CONCLUSION: There was a significant improvement in the physical fitness of the children who underwent aerobic exercise. However, children who received IMT and aerobic exercise training demonstrated even more significant improvements in physical fitness than those who received aerobic exercise training only.

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