Teenager with Down syndrome confidently balancing.

Down Syndrome and Balance: Simple Steps to Improve Stability

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 3 min read.

"Practical advice for enhancing balance and motor skills in teens with Down syndrome."

Balance is something we often take for granted, but it's a crucial part of our everyday lives. From walking to playing sports, our ability to stay steady is essential for performing countless activities. Postural control has two primary functions which includes orientation and body stability.

For teenagers with Down syndrome, maintaining good balance can be more difficult due to factors such as muscle tone, ligament flexibility, and sensory integration. All which play an important role in keeping forces balanced while maintaining orientation and position.

Understanding these challenges and knowing how to address them is key to helping teens with Down syndrome improve their motor skills, increase their independence, and boost their overall well-being.

Why is Balance Challenging for Teens with Down Syndrome?

Teenager with Down syndrome confidently balancing.

Several characteristics commonly observed in individuals with Down syndrome can affect their balance. Addressing these issues with targeted interventions can greatly improve stability and coordination.

Hypotonia, or low muscle tone, is a frequent characteristic in people with Down syndrome. This reduced muscle tone can lead to decreased stability in joints, making it harder to maintain balance. Think of it like trying to build a tower with flimsy blocks—the structure is more likely to wobble and fall.

Ligamentous Laxity: Increased flexibility in ligaments (the tissues that connect bones) can also contribute to joint instability.
Coordination Difficulties: Challenges in motor coordination can further compound balance issues, making movements less fluid and controlled.
Sensory Integration: Difficulty integrating sensory information (such as visual and proprioceptive input) can affect how teens with Down syndrome perceive their body's position in space.

These factors combined can create a perfect storm of instability, making balance a significant area for targeted improvement. Understanding how these characteristics affect balance is the first step in developing effective strategies.

Simple Steps and Daily Tips to Improve Balance

Improving balance doesn't have to involve complicated exercises or expensive equipment. Simple activities incorporated into daily routines can make a big difference. These strategies focus on strengthening muscles, enhancing sensory awareness, and promoting better coordination. With consistent effort, teenagers with Down syndrome can achieve significant gains in their balance and confidence.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/s1980-65742013000200015, Alternate LINK

Title: Equilíbrio Dinâmico Em Adolescentes Com Síndrome De Down E Adolescentes Com Desenvolvimento Típico

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Motriz: Revista de Educação Física

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Tatiane Flávia De Oliveira, José Luiz Lopes Vieira, Aurélio Izumi Grimble Gonçalves Dos Santos, Victor Hugo Alves Okazaki

Published: 2013-06-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why is maintaining balance particularly challenging for teenagers with Down syndrome?

Balance is difficult for teenagers with Down syndrome due to a combination of factors. Hypotonia, or low muscle tone, reduces joint stability. Ligamentous laxity, or increased flexibility in ligaments, contributes to joint instability as well. Coordination difficulties make movements less fluid and controlled, and sensory integration challenges affect the perception of body position in space. All of these factors create instability, highlighting the importance of targeted improvement strategies.

What are the primary functions of postural control and why are they important?

Postural control serves two key functions: orientation and body stability. Orientation refers to the ability to understand one's position in space. Body stability is the ability to maintain balance and control movement. Both are essential for performing everyday activities.

How does hypotonia affect balance in teenagers with Down syndrome, and what can be done about it?

Hypotonia, also known as low muscle tone, is a common characteristic in individuals with Down syndrome. It affects balance by reducing stability in joints. This makes it more difficult to maintain balance. Strengthening muscles through targeted exercises can help improve stability and compensate for hypotonia.

What is sensory integration, and how does it influence balance for individuals with Down syndrome?

Sensory integration refers to the brain's ability to process and interpret sensory information from the body and the environment. Challenges in sensory integration can impact how teens with Down syndrome perceive their body's position in space. This affects balance. Visual and proprioceptive input are examples of sensory information that the body depends on.

What are some simple, everyday steps that can be taken to improve balance in teenagers with Down syndrome?

Simple strategies, such as incorporating balance-focused activities into daily routines, can significantly improve balance. These activities focus on strengthening muscles, enhancing sensory awareness, and promoting better coordination. Consistent effort in these areas can lead to significant gains in balance and confidence.