The functional fitness capacity of adults with Down syndrome in South Africa.
Stronger legs equal better daily movement for adults with Down syndrome, so build lower-body work into every session.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Robertson et al. (2013) tested 371 South African adults with Down syndrome. They measured strength, balance, flexibility, and heart fitness. The goal was to see which parts of fitness best predict real-life movement skills.
What they found
Leg strength came out on top. Stronger legs meant better standing, walking, and stair use. Other traits helped, but leg power was the clearest signal.
How this fits with other research
Schertz et al. (2016) later showed the same test battery is reliable, so you can trust small score changes. Alyt et al. (2014, 2015) widened the lens: in older adults with any intellectual disability, poor fitness foretells later trouble with dressing, cooking, and shopping.
Perrot et al. (2021) proved the link can move the other way: a 12-week Wii game program raised fitness and mobility in adults with Down syndrome.
Faso et al. (2016) adds a twist: moderate treadmill walking boosts thinking control, but hard running slows reaction time. So leg work helps, yet the dose matters.
Why it matters
You now know leg strength drives daily movement in adults with Down syndrome. Start every plan with squat, step, or sit-to-stand work. Use the same tests to track gains; Schertz et al. (2016) gives you the minimal change numbers. Keep intensity moderate—think brisk walk, not sprint—to protect thinking skills shown by Faso et al. (2016).
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND: It is well established that there is a relationship between physical inactivity and increased risk for diseases of lifestyle. Persons with Down syndrome (DS) are especially at risk because of physical and health impairments, as well as perceived and real barriers to participation in exercise. The purpose of the study was to establish the functional fitness capacity and predictors of performance of DS adults. METHODS: Data were collected at various intellectual disability centres and private homes in seven provinces of South Africa. Three hundred and seventy-one DS individuals (199 men and 172 women) from 18 to 66 years were tested for balance, flexibility, coordination, muscular strength and endurance, aerobic capacity and functional ability. Data were categorised according to gender and age groups (18-25, 26-35, 36-45, and >45 years). Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the functional task and physical test items. RESULTS: Down syndrome men performed significantly better on all but two tests compared with the women (P < 0.05). DS women performed better on the sit-and-reach flexibility item and the chair stand test; however, differences were not statistically significant from the men. Significant differences across age groups were observed for nine of the 13 functional fitness tests (P < 0.05). Muscular strength items, especially leg strength, significantly predicted functional performance in DS men and women. Aerobic capacity only predicted functional performance in DS men and sit-and-reach flexibility and dynamic balance only in DS women. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study provide important information on the functional capacity of DS adults and show which physical attributes contribute to functional performance. Consequently appropriate training programmes can be tailored for this population whom is known to have poor functional fitness.
Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR, 2013 · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2788.2012.01594.x