Feasibility and Reliability of a Physical Fitness Test Battery in Individuals with Down Syndrome.

Ruth Cabeza-Ruiz,Isaac Ruiz-Gavilán,Antonio Manuel Sánchez-López,Francisco Javier Alcántara-Cordero

doi:10.3390/ijerph16152685

Ruth Cabeza-Ruiz, Isaac Ruiz-Gavilán + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16152685

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Abstract

Background: Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder that occurs because of an abnormal division between cells that results in an extra copy of chromosome 21. Some studies show that physical exercise in people with DS increases some cognitive capacities, such as memory, and improves the quality of life. Aim: The main aim of this study was to perform an analysis of the reliability and feasibility of the SAMU-Disability Fitness (DISFIT) battery in adults with DS. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a test–retest design was performed in a maximum interval of 2 weeks in 37 subjects (11 women and 26 men) aged between 21 and 58 years old with DS. Eight field-based fitness tests were proposed to assess the physical fitness (PF) of adults with DS: Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC), the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), the Deep Trunk Flexibility test (DTF), the Hand Grip test (HG), the Timed Stand Test (TST), the 30-s Sit-Up (SUP) and the 6-Min Walk Test (6MWT). Results: The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) in all the tests was good and high (>0.80), except for the 6MWT, whose reliability was fair. Conclusion: The SAMU-DISFIT battery is a reliable and feasible physical fitness battery which has been created with the purpose of establishing tests which measure the four basic components of PF (flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, musculoskeletal fitness and motor fitness) in adults with DS.

Highlights

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder that occurs because of an abnormal division between cells that results in an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21
There were 753 adults with intellectual disabilities, of whom 715 were excluded for the following reasons: they did not fulfil the inclusion criteria, they rejected taking part in the study or were excluded for other reasons related with limitations in the receiving/comprehension of the information, illnesses or feeling ill
The findings show a high reliability and feasibility of the tests proposed, so the SAMU-Disability Fitness (DISFIT) battery is shown to be a recommendable tool to evaluate adults with DS

Summary

Introduction

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder that occurs because of an abnormal division between cells that results in an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21. Other causes are when only a segment of chromosome 21 has three copies (partial trisomy) or when the whole chromosome is triplicated but only a proportion of the cells are trisomic (mosaicism), with other cells being normal [1] The characteristics of this population include a high rate of heart problems [2], a high body mass index, numerous musculoskeletal deficits which limit their capacity to perform daily activities [3] and an increased risk (80% at 65 years old) of developing a dementia of Alzheimer’s type [4]. Conclusion: The SAMU-DISFIT battery is a reliable and feasible physical fitness battery which has been created with the purpose of establishing tests which measure the four basic components of PF (flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, musculoskeletal fitness and motor fitness) in adults with DS

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