WINGATE TEST PERFORMANCE IS RELATED TO RUN PERFORMANCE IN YOUTH WITH DOWN SYNDROME.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Individuals with Down Syndrome(DS) have low levels of aerobic capacity (VO2peak), anaerobic capacity and muscle strength. Muscle strength is related to aerobic capacity in persons with DS, and has also been related to run performance in children with mental retardation without DS. Aerobic capacity is not a good predictor of run performance in children with DS. It is unknown if anaerobic capacity and muscle strength can predict run performance (20m shuttle run, 20 MST) in this population. PURPOSE We investigated VO2 peak, anaerobic variables from the Wingate test(WnT) and muscle strength as possible predictors of run performance in children and adolescents with DS. METHODS 26 youth with DS (age=13.8yrs; weight=48.9kg; height=142.9cm) participated in this study. They completed an isometric handgrip, leg and lower back strength test, a 30sec WnT, a 20MST and a maximal walk-run treadmill test with metabolic and ECG measurements. Correlation and multiple regression were calculated to investigate which variables could predict run performance. RESULTS There was a significant correlation between WnT (lowest power,LP) and number of laps completed (.62;p < .01). Handgrip strength (.68;p < .01), back strength (.72;p < .01), leg strength (.64;p < .01) were also related to the LP of the WnT. The anaerobic capacity (WnT) was also related to run performance (.49;p < .05), handgrip strength (.68;p < .01), back strength (.76;p < .01) and leg strength (.67;p < .01). VO2peak and muscle strength were not related to run performance. In a stepwise multiple regression, only the LP was included as a significant predictor of run performance. CONCLUSION Anaerobic variables from the WnT correlated with run performance and isometric strength. Neither VO2peak nor muscle strength were significant predictors of run performance. These data suggest that the metabolism during the 20MST is altered in children with DS.