While there are positive benefits from physical activity participation for individuals with Down syndrome, little is known about the effects of swimming training. The aim of this study was to compare the body composition and physical fitness profile of competitive swimmers and moderately active (untrained) individuals with Down syndrome. The Eurofit Special test was applied to a group of competitive swimmers (n = 18) and a group of untrained individuals (n = 19), all with Down syndrome. In addition, measurements were taken to determine body composition characteristics. The results showed differences between swimmers and untrained subjects in height, sum of the four skinfolds, body fat %, fat mass index and all items of the Eurofit Special test. Swimmers with Down syndrome exhibited physical fitness levels near to the Eurofit standards, although lower fitness levels were attained by these persons when compared to athletes with intellectual disability. It can be concluded that the practice of competitive swimming seems to counteract the tendency for obesity in persons with Down syndrome and also helps to increase strength, speed and balance.

Physical activity and sports practice plays an important role in maintaining health, well-being, and quality of life. As related concepts, those are not well studied in persons with disabilities, particularly with intellectual disability or Down syndrome. This study aimed to assess the daily life physical activity levels of competitive persons with Down syndrome and to compare those with active and untrained individuals with the same condition. Twenty participants were allocated to international competitive (N=8; 25.8±7.4 years), recreational (N=6; 22.0±4.3 years) and untrained (N=6; 24.0±7.4 years) groups. The daily physical activity was assessed with a CE Mark class I electronic medical device (WalkinSense®), designed to monitor dynamics of human lower limbs’. Time spending in sports practice was not accounted for this analysis. Differences were found between the competitive and the recreational groups in the number of training hours per week and walking distance. Similarly, the competitive group showed differences with the two other groups in weight, body mass index, training hours per week, steps/day and walking distance. Our findings suggest that individuals with Down syndrome engaged in competitive training are more active persons behind their sport comparing to their non-competitive peers, but remain far from the 10 000 steps/day that is the recommended guideline for healthier adults without any disability.

The purpose was to characterize and compare biomechanical and coordinative parameters at maximum velocity between swimmers with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities and examine these in relation to their anthropometrics. Nine swimmers (four with Down syndrome and five with intellectual disabilities) performed three bouts of 25 m crawl stroke, each at maximum velocity, which were recorded with the Qualysis motion analysis system. Anthropometric variables, BMI, and percentage of body fat were also assessed. Swimmers with Down syndrome presented a smaller height, acromion height, sitting height, arm span, hand length, hand width, foot length, foot width, and velocity than swimmers with intellectual disabilities. Swimmers with Down syndrome have disadvantageous anthropometrics and slower swimming velocities compared to swimmers with intellectual disabilities. Those swimmers also appear to present distinctive coordination (catch-up for Down syndrome and superposition for intellectual disabilities) and intracyclic velocity variation (Down syndrome presented higher values) compared to swimmers with intellectual disabilities, suggesting a lower swimming efficiency.