Article

People with Down syndrome (DS) display consistent patterns of
physical inactivity. If these sedentary behaviors continue over extended periods
of time, there will be negative health consequences.
The objective of
this study was to investigate the physical activity and health-related outcomes
of teaching children with DS to ride a 2-wheel bicycle.
DESIGN: This study was a
randomized intervention in which the control group waited 1 year to receive the
intervention. SETTING: This intervention study was conducted in a community
setting. PARTICIPANTS:
The participants were children who were 8 to 15 years of
age and who had been diagnosed with DS. Intervention The participants were
randomly assigned to an experimental group (bicycle intervention) or a control
group (no intervention). MEASUREMENTS: Measurements were obtained in the month
before the intervention (preintervention), at 7 weeks after the intervention, and
at 12 months after the preintervention measurement for all participants. RESULTS:
The results indicated no group differences at the preintervention session.
Fifty-six percent of the participants in the experimental group successfully
learned to ride a 2-wheel bicycle during the 5-day intervention. Analysis showed
that participants who learned to ride spent significantly less time in sedentary
activity at 12 months after the preintervention measurement and more time in
moderate to vigorous physical activity than participants in the control group.
Body fat appeared to be positively influenced over time in participants who
learned to ride. LIMITATIONS:
It is unknown how frequently the children in the
experimental group rode their bicycles after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Most
children who are 8 to 15 years of age and who have been diagnosed with DS can
learn to ride a 2-wheel bicycle. Learning to ride can reduce time spent in
sedentary activity and increase time spent in moderate to vigorous physical
activity, which may influence the health and functioning of these children.

Langue : ANGLAIS