Analysis of sedentary behaviour levels and patterns in adults with Down syndrome

Abstract

BackgroundSedentary behaviour (SB) among adults with Down syndrome (DS) may differ based on personal or environmental factors.ObjectiveInvestigate differences in SB levels and patterns of adults with DS based on sex, age, and residence‐type across weekdays and weekends.MethodsThirty‐four adults with DS (15 men; 37 ± 12 years) underwent accelerometry‐based measurements of sedentary time, bouts, and breaks for 7 days. We evaluated differences with 2 × 2 mixed‐model (group‐by‐day) ANOVA.ResultsYounger (19–36 years) individuals had less sedentary time (p = .042), and shorter (p = .048) and fewer (p = .012) bouts than older (37–60 years) individuals. Group home residents had more bouts on weekends than adults living with parent/guardians (p = .015).ConclusionsAdults with DS spent half their waking hours in SB of short bouts. Age and residence may influence SB.