RELIABILITY OF WINGATE TESTING IN CHILDREN WITH MENTAL RETARDATION INCLUDING DOWN SYNDROME

Abstract

Tests of aerobic capacity are valid and reliable in children with mental retardation (MR), including children with Down syndrome (DS). However, there is no information on anaerobic capabilities in children with MR, and it is unknown if the Wingate test of anaerobic power is reliable in this population. We investigated the reliability of the Wingate test in 23 children with MR (age = 14.2 yrs; weight = 51.4 kg; height = 146.8 cm). Subjects completed 2 Wingate tests, on separate days, following appropriate laboratory familiarization. On test days, subjects warmed up, and were asked to complete a standard Wingate test immediately following warm up. Mean anearobic power was 172 W and 181 W on the first and second test respectively, with an intraclass reliability of r = 0.96 (p < 0.01). Peak power was 247 W and 273 W on the first and second test, respectively, with an intraclass reliability of r = 0.98 (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between days for either peak or mean power. The time to peak power was 5.75 sec and 5.71 sec on the first and second test respectively, with an intraclass reliability coefficient of r = 0.83 (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the two tests for the time to peak power. However, the fatigue index was significantly different between days (13.7 W/sec and 8.0 W/sec for test 1 and 2, respectively; p < 0.04) with a lower intraclass reliability coefficient (r = 0.73; p < 0.01). These data show that children with MR exhibit low levels of anaerobic capacity compared to previously published data for their non-disabled peers. This is consistent with low physical fitness and aerobic capacity levels usually found in children MR. However, the 30 sec Wingate test is a reliable test in children MR, especially for mean power and peak power.