Physical Conditioning Program To Improve Isometric Strength And Body Composition In People With Down Syndrome.: 329 Board #150 May 31 9

It is calculated that in Mexico there exists about 250,000 people with Down Syndrome (DS). However due to the lack of activities that stimulate an optimum development causes a poor quality of life than the rest of the population. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of a physical conditioning program on isometric strength and body composition in people with DS. METHODS: The design of the study was an experimental type. Twenty two children participated with DS. Thirteen in the experimental group (EG) and nine in the control group (CG), that did not present any history of heart diseases and which didn’t practice any type of physical activity or sport. The isometric strength (manual hydraulic dynamometer model SH5001), the height (stadiometer SECA 213), weight (Tanite Scale Bc533) were measured and BMI was calculated. Also the triceps and the medial calf skinfolds (Slimguide Caliper) were measured. Later a physical activity program was implemented with a frequency of five times per week with sessions of 55 minutes of duration for a period of 16 weeks. RESULTS: In the EG the age was 12.3 + 2.06 years, while in the CG was 11.4 + 1.94 years. The height was 134.6 + 6.4 cm and 132.7 + 4.8 cm for the GE and GC respectively. The BMI in the EG was 22.2 + 2.5 kg/m2 and 20.7 + 2.5 kg/m2 at the beginning and at the end of the intervention, respectively (p=0.0001). Meanwhile in the CG the BMI was 23.29 + 4.9 kg/m2 and 21.9 + 4.6 kg/m2 during the pretest and posttest respectively (p=0.001). In regards to the calf skinfold in the EG was 14.9 + 5.5 mm at the beginning and 14.55 + 3.2 mm at the end (p=0.008), while in the CG no significant difference were found (p=0.39). No significant differences for the triceps skinfold were found. Isometric strength in EG at baseline was 2.4 ± 4 kg and 9.2 ± 2 kg at the end (p=0.0001), while in the CG no significant difference were observed (p = 0.1). CONCLUSION: A physical conditioning program can improve the body composition and the isometric strength in people with DS. People with DS need to engage in physical activity because of their tendency to be overweight and obese, this would significantly improve their quality of life.