Rocío Izquierdo-Gomez

Objective assessment of sedentary time and physical activity throughout the week in adolescents with Down syndrome. The UP&DOWN study.

This study aimed to examine the patterns of sedentary time and physical activity (PA) throughout the week in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). The study comprised 109 adolescents with DS (68 males and 41 females) aged 11-20 years, participating in the UP&DOWN study, but only a total of 100 adolescents provided valid data. Sedentary time and total, light, moderate, vigorous, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were measured by accelerometers. There were no significant differences in the time spent in sedentary time and PA levels between weekdays vs. weekend days, as well as between school time vs. after school-time periods (all p>0.05). Adolescent males engaged in more total PA, moderate PA, vigorous PA and MVPA than females on weekend days (all p<0.05). Differences between age groups showed that sedentary time increases and PA decreases with advancing age in all analyses, so that the oldest groups were more sedentary and less active (all p<0.05). Only 43% of adolescents with DS met the PA recommendations of ≥60min/day of MVPA. Our findings show valuable information to be considered in future interventions aiming to decrease sedentary time and increase PA levels in adolescents with DS.

Reliability of the ALPHA health-related fitness test battery in adolescents with Down syndrome.

Abstract Tejero-Gonzalez, CMª, Martinez-Gomez, D, Bayon-Serna, J, Izquierdo-Gomez, R, Castro-Piñero, J, and Veiga OL. Reliability of the ALPHA health-related fitness test battery in adolescents with Down syndrome. J Strength Cond Res 27(11): 3221–3224, 2013—The Assessing Levels of Physical Activity (ALPHA) health-related fitness test battery is a set of reliable, valid, and feasible tests to assess health-related physical fitness in children and in adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability of this battery in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). The extended ALPHA health-related fitness test battery was performed twice within 1 month in 17 apparently healthy adolescents, aged 12–18 years, with DS who had an intelligence quotient ≥35. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to determinate test-retest reliability, and nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare mean differences between measurements. With the exception of subscapular skinfold test, which obtained a moderate agreement (ICC = 0.64), all tests had a very high reliability: the 20-m shuttle-run test (ICC = 0.86), the right handgrip strength test (ICC = 0.86), the left handgrip strength test (ICC = 0.86), the standing broad jump test (ICC = 0.85), body mass index (ICC = 0.95), waist circumference (ICC = 0.98), triceps skinfold (ICC = 0.85), and the 4 × 10-m shuttle-run test (ICC = 0.92). There were no significant differences (all p > 0.05) in any of the tests. The ALPHA health-related fitness battery is reliable for measuring health-related components of fitness in adolescents with DS.

Associations of physical activity with fatness and fitness in adolescents with Down syndrome: The UP&DOWN study

The aim of the present study was to examine the associations of objectively measured physical activity (PA) with several markers of fatness and fitness in a relatively large sample of adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). This study comprised a total of 100 adolescents with DS (37 females) aged 11-20 years-old, and a sex-matched sample of 100 adolescents without disabilities, participating in the UP&DOWN study. The ALPHA health-related fitness test battery for adolescents was used to assess fatness and fitness. PA was measured by accelerometry. Adolescents with DS had higher fatness and significantly lower fitness levels in all variables measured than adolescents without DS (all p<0.05). Moderate-to-large effects were observed in fatness variables (d=0.65-1.42), but particularly large values were found in fitness variables (d=2.05-2.43). In addition, PA levels was not associated with fatness variables, whereas total PA and vigorous PA were associated with all fitness variables (p<0.05), and moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA) was associated with muscular fitness (p<0.05), after adjusting for potential confounders. Further analysis revealed that there were differences in fitness by tertiles of vigorous PA between the lowest and the highest groups in all fitness variables (all p<0.05). However, no significant differences were found in fitness by tertiles of MVPA according with PA guidelines (≥60min in MVPA). Our findings indicate that PA levels are not associated with fatness variables, whereas high PA levels, in particular vigorous PA, are positively associated with high fitness in adolescents with DS.

Maternal physical activity before and during the prenatal period and the offspring's academic performance in youth. The UP&DOWN study

Abstract Objective: To examine the association of maternal physical activity before and during pregnancy with academic performance in youth. Methods: This study included 1868 youth (6–18 years) and their mothers. Mothers recalled their physical activity before and during pregnancy. Mothers were categorized into four groups: “remained active”, “became inactive”, “became active” and “remained inactive”. Academic performance was assessed through school records. Results: Boys whose mothers practiced physical activity before or during pregnancy had significantly higher scores in academic performance indicators independently of physical activity, fitness, current body mass index (BMI) and birthweight than those whose mothers did not practice physical activity before or during pregnancy (all p < 0.05). In addition, boys whose mothers remained active had higher scores in all academic indicators (ranging from +0.358 to +0.543) than boys whose mothers remained inactive. Boys whose mothers remained active had higher scores in Language (score +0.546; 95% CI, 0.150–0.940), average of Math and Language (score +0.468; 95% CI, 0.100–0.836) and grade point average (GPA) (score +0.368; 95% CI, 0.092–0.644) than boys whose mothers became active. Conclusions: Maternal physical activity before and during pregnancy may positively influence youths academic performance. Continuing maternal physical activity practice during pregnancy may have greater benefits for youths academic performance.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness Cutoff Points for Early Detection of Present and Future Cardiovascular Risk in Children:A 2-Year Follow-up Study

Objective: To examine the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) at baseline and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in 6‐ to 10‐year‐olds (cross‐sectional) and 2 years later (8‐ to 12‐year‐olds [longitudinal]) and whether changes with age in CRF are associated with CVD risk in children aged 8 to 12 years. Patients and Methods: Spanish primary schoolchildren (n=236) aged 6 to 10 years participated at baseline. Of the 23 participating primary schools, 22% (n=5) were private schools and 78% (n=18) were public schools. The dropout rate at 2‐year follow‐up was 9.7% (n=23). The 20‐m shuttle run test was used to estimate CRF. The CVD risk score was computed as the mean of 5 CVD risk factor standardized scores: sum of 2 skinfolds, systolic blood pressure, insulin/glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol/high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Results: At baseline, CRF was inversely associated with single CVD risk factors (all P<.05) and CVD risk score at baseline and follow‐up (P<.001). Cardiorespiratory fitness cutoff points of 39.0 mL/kg per minute or greater in boys and 37.5 mL/kg per minute or greater in girls are discriminative to identify CVD risk in childhood (area under the curve, >0.85; P<.001) and to predict CVD risk 2 years later (P=.004). Persistent low CRF or the decline of CRF from 6‐10 to 8‐12 years of age is associated with increased CVD risk at age 8 to 12 years (P<.001). Conclusion: During childhood, CRF is a strong predictor of CVD risk and should be monitored to identify children with potential CVD risk. Abbreviations and Acronyms: AUC = area under the curve; CRF = cardiorespiratory fitness; CVD = cardiovascular disease; HDL‐C = high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol; HOMA‐IR = homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance; OR = odds ratio; SBP = systolic blood pressure; TC = total cholesterol; TG = triglycerides; VO2max = maximum oxygen consumption

Physical Activity Coparticipation and Independent Mobility as Correlates of Objectively Measured Nonschool Physical Activity in Different School Grades. The UP&DOWN Study.

BACKGROUND The aim was to investigate the association of (i) parental, sibling, and friend coparticipation in physical activity (PA); and (ii) independent mobility (IM) for walking, cycling, and taking public transport with objectively measured nonschool PA on week- and weekend days in different school grades. METHODS A total of 1376 Spanish youngsters (50.8% boys; mean age 11.96 ± 2.48 years) participated in the study. Participants reported the frequency of their parental, sibling, and best friend coparticipation in PA with them and their IM for walking, cycling, and taking public transport. PA was objectively measured by accelerometry. RESULTS Coparticipation in PA and IM were more frequently related to nonschool PA among adolescents than among children. Friend coparticipation in PA was positively associated with higher levels of nonschool PA in adolescents. IM for walking and IM for cycling in adolescents were related to nonschool PA on weekdays. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the need for age-focused interventions and the integration of family and friends to promote PA in youth.

The role of fatness on physical fitness in adolescents with and without Down syndrome: The UP&DOWN study.

Background/Objectives:Adolescents with Down syndrome (DS) exhibit higher levels of fatness and low levels of physical fitness compared with those without DS. In adolescents without DS, fatness is tightly associated with physical fitness, but this association is unclear in adolescents with DS. The aim of this study was to examine the association between several markers of fatness and physical fitness in a relative large sample of adolescents with and without DS.Subjects/Methods:A total of 111 adolescents with DS (41 females) aged 11–20 years participated in this cross-sectional study. We also included a sex-matched control group (ratio 1:2) of 222 adolescents without DS aged 12–18 years, participating in the UP&DOWN Study. The Assessing Level of Physical Activity (ALPHA) health-related fitness test battery for adolescents was used to assess fatness and physical fitness.Results:Our results show that fatness is not associated with low levels of physical fitness in adolescents with DS (that is, 3 of the 16 analyses identified differences in physical fitness variables by groups of fatness). In contrast, fatness, as expected, is associated with levels of physical fitness in adolescents without DS (that is, 13 of the 16 analyses identified differences in physical fitness variables by groups of fatness).Conclusions:The present finding contributes to new knowledge by suggesting that the role of fatness on physical fitness is different in adolescents with and without DS, and consequently, the poor levels of physical fitness in adolescents with DS may be due to the syndrome rather than the high prevalence of obesity from this population.

Correlates of objectively measured physical activity in adolescents with Down syndrome: the UP & DOWN Study

INTRODUCTION Correlates of physical activity (PA) have not been explored in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). Understanding correlates of PA could provide information to develop strategies to increase levels of PA in this target population. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to identify potential correlates of PA in adolescents with DS. METHOD Information about levels of PA and their potential correlates was collected in 98 adolescents with DS (63 males, aged 11-20 years) using accelerometers and proxy-reported questionnaires. Analysis of covariance and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine correlates of PA. RESULT Our findings showed that participants age and socioeconomic status were associated with levels of PA as non-modifiable correlates. Also, parental support, father PA, television-viewing time with siblings and with friends were associated with levels of PA as modifiable correlates. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Both modifiable and non-modifiable factors are associated with levels of PA in adolescents with DS. Therefore, a better understanding of correlates of PA could contribute to develop strategies on PA promotion in adolescents with DS.

Correlates of sedentary behaviour in youths with Down syndrome: the UP&DOWN study

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify potential correlates of sedentary time and television (TV) viewing time in youth with Down syndrome (DS). A total of 98 adolescents with DS (63 males) aged 11–20 years old participated in this study. Total sedentary time was measured using accelerometers, while total TV viewing time and potential correlates were measured using proxy-report questionnaire. Analyses of covariance and a stepwise multiple linear regression were performed to examine correlates of total sedentary time and total TV viewing time. Different potential correlates were associated with total sedentary time (mother age, mother TV viewing time, perceived benefits of physical activity, birth order and having nearby shops in the neighbourhood) and total TV viewing time (father TV viewing time, TV viewing time with parents, family dietary habits during watching TV and weekend days time indoor). The identification of correlates associated with sedentary behaviour, principally those considered modifiable such as social and environmental factors, may contribute to development strategies to decrease sedentary behaviour in adolescents with DS and consequently promote a healthier lifestyle.

Socioeconomic indicators, obesity, and physical fitness in south Brazilian adolescents with Down syndrome

Objectives: The aim was to examine the association of potential socioeconomic indicators with obesity and physical fitness components in south Brazilian adolescents with Down syndrome. Methods: This study comprised a total of 1249 (669 boys) adolescents with Down syndrome aged 10 to 20 with complete baseline data. Socioeconomic indicators were assessed by a proxy-report questionnaire. Body mass index and physical fitness were assessed using a PROES-BR health-related fitness test battery. Results: Socioeconomic status is not associated with body mass index in adolescents with Down syndrome. In addition, two of five physical fitness variables were associated with groups of family income and paternal education level in boys, while one of five physical fitness variables were associated with groups of paternal and maternal education level in girls. Conclusion: Our results suggest that socioeconomic indicators are associated with some components of physical fitness in Brazilian adolescents with Down syndrome. These associations depend on the socioeconomic status and physical fitness components in boys and girls.