An exploratory study of the association between physical activity, cardiovascular fitness and body size in children with Down syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To explore the association between physical activity, cardiovascular fitness and body size among children with Down syndrome. Method: Physical activity, cardiovascular fitness and body size were measured by accelerometry, maximal fitness test and anthropometric measurements (BMI, waist circumference), respectively. Results: Fourteen children with Down syndrome (8 boys, 6 girls; mean age 12.9 years) participated. There was no significant correlation between physical activity and cardiovascular fitness or physical activity and body size. Children with Down syndrome who were fitter, had lower BMIs (r = −0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.41 to −0.93) and smaller waist circumference (r = −0.75, 95% CI −0.36 to −0.92). Conclusion: Preliminary evidence suggests physical activity may not be associated with either body size or fitness in children with Down syndrome. Body size appears to be inversely related to fitness in children with Down syndrome.

Keywords:

• Accelerometry
• body mass index
• intellectual disability
• maximal fitness test
• waist circumference

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all the children and their families for taking part in the study. Jamie O’Dwyer, Sinead Langford and Grace O’Malley are acknowledged for their contribution to the cardiovascular testing. The Physiotherapy Departments at Tallaght Hospital and St James Hospital are acknowledged for opening their facilities to us as testing venues for the study. Dr Dennis Wollersheim is acknowledged for his help with processing the physical activity data.

Declaration of interest

The authors have report no declarations of interest.