Int J Sports Med 2010; 31(1): 10-15
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1241211
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Walking Economy of Adults with Down Syndrome

G. V. Mendonca1 , F. D. Pereira1 , P. P. Morato2 , B. Fernhall3
  • 1Human Kinetics Faculty, Human Kinetics, Lisboa, Portugal
  • 2Human Kinetics Faculty, Special Education and Rehabilitation, Lisbon, Portugal
  • 3University of Illinois, Kinesiology and Community Health Department, Champaign, United States
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision September 1, 2009

Publication Date:
22 December 2009 (online)

Abstract

This study intended to investigate walking economy (WE) in response to different treadmill speeds and grades in adults with Down syndrome (DS) and in non-disabled controls. Eighteen participants (14 males; 4 females) with DS (33.6±7.6 years) and 16 non-disabled (12 males, 4 females) controls (33.3±8.0 years) performed submaximal (2.5 km . h−1 and 4 km . h−1 at 0% grade; 4 km . h−1 at 2.5% and 5% grade, for 5 min each) and maximal treadmill tests with metabolic and heart rate measurements. Oxygen uptake (VO2) was not different between groups at rest or during the slowest treadmill speed. However, at faster speeds and increased grades, adults with DS presented lower WE than controls (p<0.0001). Subsequent analyses revealed that, despite showing higher delta VO2 response to the selected speed increments (p<0.0001), individuals with DS produced similar VO2 increase as controls to grade variations. Therefore, adults with DS exhibit lower WE than non-disabled controls at a speed faster than their preferred walking speed. Additionally, in comparison to controls, individuals with DS show a greater change in energy expenditure with a change in walking speed. In conclusion, lower WE in individuals with DS is mainly related to their inability to adapt efficiently to positive variations in walking speed.

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Correspondence

Goncalo V. MendoncaMS 

Human Kinetics Faculty

Human Kinetics Faculdade de

Motricidade Humana

1495-688 Lisboa

Portugal

Phone: 0351/933/206 691

Fax: 0351/214 149 236

Email: gvmendonca@gmail.com