Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Walking economy in male adults with Down syndrome

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate walking economy in response to steady-state locomotion in adult males with Down syndrome (DS) and in healthy controls. Twelve participants with DS (34.5 ± 7.0 years) and 11 non-disabled controls (34.3 ± 8.7 years) performed submaximal (0% grade, 2.5 km h−1 for 8 min) and maximal treadmill tests with metabolic and heart-rate measurements. For submaximal walking, submaximal oxygen uptake (VO2) (9.1 vs. 9.5 mL kg−1 min−1), net VO2 (5.9 vs. 5.4 mL kg−1 min−1) were not different between the groups (P > 0.05). However, oxygen-pulse (6.6 vs. 8.6 mL/beat) was lower and relative work intensity (44.6 vs. 19.9% of max) was higher in individuals with DS compared to controls (P < 0.05). Findings indicate similar walking economy between groups. Nevertheless, participants with DS exercised at lower submaximal oxygen-pulse and higher percentage of VO2peak. Therefore, despite similar walking economy, participants with DS have lower cardiorespiratory function than controls for a given steady-state treadmill speed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ammirati A, Marino B, Annicchiarico M, Ferraza A, Affinito V, Ragonese P (1991) Sindromi di Down senza cardiopatia congenita: E’ realmente normale l’anatomia eccocardiografica? G Ital Cardiol 21:55

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergman B, Brooks B (1999) Respiratory exchange ratios during graded exercise in fed and fasted trained and untrained man. J Appl Physiol 86(2):479–487

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Browning R, Kram R (2005) Energetic cost and preferred speed of walking in obese vs normal weight women. Obes Res 13:891–899. doi:10.1038/oby.2005.103

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cavanagh P, Williams K (1982) The effect of stride length variation on oxygen uptake during distance running. Med Sci Sports 14(1):30–35

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cavanagh P, Pollock M, Landa J (1977) A biomechanical comparison of elite and good distance runners. Ann N Y Acad Sci 301:328–345. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1977.tb38211.x

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen E, Hansen O (1939) Repiratorisher quotient und O2-aufnahme. Skand Arch Physiol 81:180–189

    Google Scholar 

  • Dubois D, Dubois E (1916) A formula to estimate the approximate surface area if height and weight be known. Arch Intern Med 17:863–871

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fernhall B, Otterstetter M (2003) Attenuated responses to sympathoexcitation in individuals with Down syndrome. J Appl Physiol 94:2158–2165

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fernhall B, Pitetti K (2001) Limitations to physical work in individuals with mental retardation. Clin Exerc Physiol 3:176–185

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernhall B, Unnithan V (2002) Cardiovascular fitness as related to leg strength in adults with mental retardation. Med Sci Sports Exerc 27:423–428

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernhall B, Millar A, Tymeson G, Burkett L (1990) Maximal exercise testing of mentally retarded adolescents and adults: reliability study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 71(13):1065–1068

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fernhall B, Pitetti K, Rimmer J, McCubbin J, Rintala P, Millar A et al (1996) Cardiorespiratory capacity of individuals with mental retardation including Down syndrome. Med Sci Sports Exerc 28(3):366–371. doi:10.1097/00005768-199603000-00012

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Friedlander A, Casazza G, Huie M, Horning M, Brooks G (1997) Endurance training alters glucose kinetics in response to the same absolute, but not the same relative workload. J Appl Physiol 82:1360–1369

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goran M, Fields D, Herd S, Weinsier R (2000) Total body fat does not influence maximal aerobic capacity. Int J Obes 24:841–848. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0801241

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guerra M, Roman B, Geronimo C, Violan M, Cuadrado E, Fernhall B (2000) Physical fitness levels of physically active and sedentary active individuals with Down syndrome. Adapt Phys Activ Q 17:310–321

    Google Scholar 

  • Menz H, Lord S, Fitzpatrick R (2003) Age-related differences in walking stability. Age Ageing 32:137–142. doi:10.1093/ageing/32.2.137

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan D, Craib M (1992) Physiological aspects of running economy. Med Sci Sports Exerc 24(4):456–461

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parker A, Bronks R, Synder C Jr (1985) Walking patterns in Down’s syndrome. J Ment Defic Res 30:317–330

    Google Scholar 

  • Pitetti K, Boneh S (1995) Cardiovascular fitness as related to leg strength in adults with mental retardation. Med Sci Sports Exerc 27:423–428. doi:10.1249/00005768-199503000-00020

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pollock M (1977) Submaximal and maximal work capacity of elite distance runners. Part I: Cardiorespiratory aspects. Ann N Y Acad Sci 301:310–322. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1977.tb38209.x

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosengren K, McAuley E, Mihalko S (1998) Gait adjustments in older adults: activity and efficacy influences. Psychol Aging 13:375–386. doi:10.1037/0882-7974.13.3.375

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenquist G, Sweeney L, Amsel J, McAllister H (1974) Enlargement of the membranous ventricular septum: an internal stigma of Down’s syndrome. J Pedod 85:490–493. doi:10.1016/S0022-3476(74)80450-6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rubin S, Rimmer J, Chicoine B, Braddock D, McGuire E (1998) Overweight prevalence in persons with Down syndrome. Ment Retard 36:175–181. doi:10.1352/0047-6765(1998)036<0175:OPIPWD>2.0.CO;2

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith B, Ulrich B (2008) Early onset of stabilizing strategies for gait and obstacles: older adults with Down syndrome. Gait Posture 28:448–455. doi:10.1016/gaitpost.2008.02.002

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith B, Kubo M, Black D, Holt K, Ulrich B (2007) Effect of practice of a novel-task walking on a treadmill: preadolescents with and without Down syndrome. Phys Ther 87:766–777. doi:10.2522/ptj.2007.87.2.232

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spyropoulos P, Pisciotta J, Pavlou K, Cairns M, Simon S (1991) Biomechanical gait analysis in obese men. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 72:1065–1070

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stanish H, Draheim C (2005) Walking habits of adults with mental retardation. Ment Retard 43:421–427. doi:10.1352/0047-6765(2005)43[421:WHOAWM]2.0.CO;2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas D, Fernhall B, Grant H (1999) Changes in running economy during a 5-km run in trained men and women runners. J Strength Cond Res 13(2):456–461. doi:10.1519/1533-4287(1999)013<0162:CIREDA>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wasserman K, Hansen J, Sue D, Stringer W, Whipp B (2005a). Measurements during integrative cardiopulmonary exercise testing. In: Principles of exercise testing and interpretation—including pathophysiology and clinical applications, 4th edn. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, pp 90–92

  • Wasserman K, Hansen J, Sue D, Stringer W, Whipp B (2005b) Normal values. In principles of exercise testing and interpretation—including pathophysiology and clinical applications, 4th edn. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, pp 161–182

  • Whipp B (1971) Rate constant for the kinetics of oxygen uptake during light exercise. J Appl Physiol 30(2):261–263

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Whitt-Glover M, O’Neill K, Stettler N (2006) Physical activity patterns in children with and without Down syndrome. Pediatr Rehabil 9:158–164. doi:10.1080/13638490500353202

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Winter D (1990). Mechanical work, energy, and power. In: Biomechanics and motor control of human movement, 2nd edn. Wiley, New York, pp 103–139

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from the Center of Human Performance from the Human Kinetics Faculty in Lisbon, Portugal.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Kinetics Department, Faculty of Human Kinetics, Technical University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    Gonçalo V. Mendonça & Fernando D. Pereira

  2. Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA

    Bo Fernhall

  3. Estrada da Costa, Cruz Quebrada, Cruz Quebrada Dafundo, 1495-688, Lisbon, Portugal

    Gonçalo V. Mendonça

Authors
  1. Gonçalo V. Mendonça
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Fernando D. Pereira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bo Fernhall
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gonçalo V. Mendonça.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mendonça, G.V., Pereira, F.D. & Fernhall, B. Walking economy in male adults with Down syndrome. Eur J Appl Physiol 105, 153–157 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0884-6

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0884-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation