The cardiovascular capacities of adults with Down syndrome

Prediction of oxygen uptake during over-ground walking in people with and without Down syndrome

“…These factors increase the energetic cost associated with leg swinging and mediolateral stabilization, respectively (Donelan et al 2004;Kuo 2007;Doke et al 2005). Additional potential causes include greater cocontractions during walking in people with DS (Ulrich et al 2004) and their very low aerobic fitness (Fernhall et al 1996;Pitetti et al 1992a) which affects the intercept and the slope of the gross-VO 2 to walking speed relationship (Sawyer et al 2010). Collectively, these factors vary as a function of speed and between people, especially among those with DS, potentially explaining why the relationship between gross-VO 2 and walking speed also varied in intercepts and slopes between the present participants.…”

“…*P \ 0.001 between groups; } P B 0.007 between speeds for DS group; § P B 0.001 between speeds for Non-DS group; only significant differences between adjacent speeds are shown intend to have an individual with DS exercise at 60% of her/ his VO 2peak . Assuming, reasonably, that the VO 2peak of this individual is 25.0 ml/kg/min (Fernhall et al 1996;Pitetti et al 1992a The following two limitations should be considered. First, the sample size was relatively small; thus, the developed prediction equation should be used with caution.…”

“…To compensate, these individuals show greater step frequencies, step width variations, and cocontractions (Agiovlasitis et al 2009a;Ulrich et al 2004), which increase the energetic cost during walking (Donelan et al 2004;Kuo 2007;Doke et al 2005). Individuals with DS also have pathologically low levels of aerobic fitness (Fernhall et al 1996(Fernhall et al , 2009Pitetti et al 1992a). Collectively, these factors have been hypothesized to be responsible for their higher net rate of oxygen uptake (net-VO 2 ) during walking which also shows a steeper curvilinear increase with increases in speed compared to individuals without DS (Agiovlasitis et al 2009b).…”

Parents’ perceptions of health and physical activity needs of children with Down syndrome

“…Research indicates low fitness levels in individuals with Down syndrome [1][2][3][4][5] . There is also a prevalence of obesity in children, adolescents, and adults with Down syndrome [6][7][8][9][10] .…”

Physical education for the person with Down syndrome: More than playing games?

“…The general fitness level in children, adolescents and adults with Down syndrome is low and is believed to have both a motivational and physiological basis (Fernhall, Tymeson, Millar & Burkett, 1989;Pitetti, Climstein, Campbell, Barrett & Jackson, 1992). It is suggested that some of this may be due to syndrome-specific conditions such as heart problems, but it seems also that there is a lack of expectations in programming.…”