Physical fitness predicts functional tasks in individuals with Down syndrome.
Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) exhibit reduced strength and aerobic capacity, which may limit their ability to perform functional tasks of daily living.


OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to examine the relationship between timed performance on functional tasks of daily living and age, knee isometric strength, and peak aerobic capacity in a group of individuals with DS.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study involving 35 individuals (27 +/- 7.5 yr) with DS. Participants completed an isometric test of knee extensor and flexor strength, an individualized exercise test to measure peak aerobic capacity, and three timed functional tasks of daily living, which included chair rise, gait speed, and stair ascent and descent. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between timed task performance and age, knee isometric strength, and peak aerobic capacity.


RESULTS
The multiple regression models explained 11-29% of the variance in timed task performance. Knee extensor strength was the most influential variable in predicting timed task performance (squared semipartial correlation coefficient [sr2] = 0.11-0.20), followed by aerobic capacity (sr2 = 0.10-0.14). Age was not a significant predictor of timed task performance.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that physical fitness (defined here as aerobic capacity and knee extensor strength) limits the ability of adults with DS to perform functional tasks of daily living. Randomized controlled trials should be performed to test the probable causal relationship between exercises designed to improve physical fitness and functional tasks of daily living.
Cowley
Patrick M
PM
Department of Exercise Science, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA. pmcowley@syr.edu
Ploutz-Snyder
Lori L
LL
Baynard
Tracy
T
Heffernan
Kevin
K
Jae
Sae Young
SY
Hsu
Sharon
S
Lee
Miyoung
M
Pitetti
Kenneth H
KH
Reiman
Michael P
MP
Fernhall
Bo
B
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004314:Down Syndrome; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult