Níveis de atividade física, aptidão física e coordenação motora de crianças com síndrome de Down: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic condition that affects both cognitive functions and motor actions. Studies indicate that the coordinative aspects of children with Down syndrome are marked by delays and differences, a fact that can be associated with several factors, which highlight individual variables, both physical and behavioral, such as physical fitness levels and physical activity. Thus, the present study aimed to describe the profile of children with DS regarding their levels of motor coordination, physical fitness and physical activity, and to identify the relationships that are established between such variables. A systematic literature review was performed to synthesize the available data using the following keywords: "Down syndrome", "motor coordination", "physical activity" and "physical fitness". The databases used were Web of Science, Scielo, Lilacs and PubMed. At the end of the search and analysis, nine studies were selected for this review according to the inclusion criteria. Eight of them presented transversal and one longitudinal design. The predominant use of accelerometers was identified to assess physical activity time. The physical fitness assessment was performed by means of coordinated test batteries. For anthropometric and body composition evaluation, the use of electronic scales, calculation of body mass index and abdominal circumference measurement was reported. The Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88), Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), and Kasperczyk Visual-Point Method were used to quantify coordinate and motor skills aspects. The results suggest that the greater the age of the child / individual with Down syndrome, the lower their level of physical fitness. And, consequently, it will decrease the time invested in the practice of physical activity, resulting in the daily non-compliance of the guidelines for the practice of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activities. With regard to coordination and motor skills, the results point to psychomotor delays, especially in walking / running and in permanent skills. The profile found is characterized by low adherence to FA, declines of involvement in FA in initially more active children.