Down syndrome (DS), the most common human aneuploidy, is associated with oxidative stress, which contributes to morphological abnormalities, immune dysfunction, cognitive impairment and accelerated ageing. This article aims to provide an overview of the studies on oxidative stress in DS, in particular the investigation of endogenous and exogenous antioxidants, with a focus on endogenous systems. A literature search in MEDLINE and Scopus based on the PRISMA 2020 criteria revealed 41 relevant studies that mainly analysed blood samples (plasma or serum) and occasionally saliva or urine. The findings suggest that oxidative stress in DS is multifactorial and results from an imbalance of superoxide dismutase activity, overexpression of genes on chromosome 21, mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation. Despite extensive studies over the decades, new sources and mechanisms for oxidative stress in DS continue to emerge, further highlighting the complexity of DS. The recognition that oxidative stress is a hallmark of DS emphasises the need to develop more sensitive and specific methods to detect it and to investigate the associated metabolic pathways in DS in more detail. The expansion of in vivo studies could facilitate the development of targeted interventions aimed at mitigating oxidative damage and ultimately improving outcomes for individuals with DS.

Ankle injuries are among the most common sports injuries in basketball and represent a substantial public health and economic burden. This narrative review synthesises evidence on ankle bracing as external protective support and shows that ankle braces reduce the risk of both first-time injuries and ankle re-injuries in basketball players without significantly affecting sport-specific performance, such as sprinting, jumping, or changing direction. Similarly, despite earlier theoretical concerns, current evidence shows no increased risk of knee injury associated with the use of ankle bracing. Mechanistic studies indicate that protection is provided by limiting excessive frontal-plane motion, enhancing proprioceptive feedback, and increasing perceived joint stability. Economic analyses show that a single ankle injury generates considerable direct and indirect costs, whereas seasonal team-wide ankle bracing programmes are low cost per athlete and likely cost-effective at scale. As a public health measure, ankle bracing is practical and easily scalable in community and sports settings. Overall, routine ankle bracing is shown to be a feasible, low-cost strategy for primary and secondary prevention of ankle injuries in basketball without compromising performance, and may support broader participation goals aligned with Sport for All principles.