Investigates how acute and chronic physical activity, sleep health, and physiological factors influence executive function, cognition, and functional brain–motor relationships in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), particularly Down syndrome.

Key Findings:

  • Acute aerobic exercise improves executive function, verbal fluency, and cognitive performance.
  • Evidence supports a dose–response relationship between exercise intensity and motor/cognitive outcomes.
  • Sleep problems and daytime sleepiness are associated with poorer fine motor skills, walking performance, and functional outcomes.
  • Motor capacity indicators (gait speed, grip strength, manual dexterity) are strongly related to executive functioning.
  • Exercise modalities such as assisted cycling improve self-efficacy, adaptive behavior, and exercise perceptions.

Interesting Outcome:

A single bout of moderate exercise can immediately enhance executive function in individuals with Down syndrome.

  • Chen, C.-C. (JJ), & Ringenbach, S. D. R. (2016). Dose-response relationship between intensity of exercise and cognitive performance in individuals with Down syndrome: A preliminary study. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 60(6), 606–614. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.12258
  • Ringenbach, S. D. R., Arnold, N. E., Myer, B., Hayes, C., Nam, K., & Chen, C.-C. (JJ). (2021). Executive function improves following acute exercise in adults with Down syndrome. Brain Sciences, 11, 620. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11050620
  • Chen, C.-C. (JJ), & Ringenbach, S. D. R. (2025). Daytime sleep problems are related to fine motor function in persons with Down syndrome. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 72(4), 614–624. https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2024.2379457
  • Chen, C.-C. (JJ), & Ringenbach, S. D. R. (2024). Associations between gait speed, grip force and executive functions in young individuals with Down syndrome. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2024.2410520