Physical activity among children with Down Syndrome

Introduction Children with Down Syndrome(DS) have the right to be physically active like other children.Sports for children should be based on children's own needs and take into account of the variations in development.The... [ view full abstract ]

Introduction

Children with Down Syndrome(DS) have the right to be physically active like other children.Sports for children should be based on children's own needs and take into account of the variations in development.The aim was to investigate sports and physical activity(PA) among children with DS in the ages 8-18 years in Sweden.

Method

Information was obtained by a questionnaire.All information was given by the parents.Questions focused on PA,sports participation, attitudes and living habits.The sample consisted of 310 children with DS.Additional information was given in written narratives.

Results

Some children were very active and some were completely inactive.The amount of inactive children was high.Relationships between parents' own level of PA and children's PA were found.The children with DS have difficulties to participate in sports together with other children and three main areas could be identified as barriers.1.Time consuming.It was very time consuming for parents to organize the participation in sports activities.2.Characteristics of the children.The children are slow and sometimes difficult to motivate which take a lot of effort.Poor motor skills,perceptual difficulties,poor movement planning,lack of endurance capacity,rapid mood swings are reported as barriers.3.Society and sports clubs offer few possibilities for PA for these children.Parents didn’t experience any negative reactions from other children or parents when children with DS participated in sports activities,but they had a feeling that the children with DS slowed down the tempo for the whole group.

Conclusions

Sport clubs have a small range of activities for children with DS.Lack of manageable training possibilities and characteristics associated with DS are strong barriers for sport participation and are detrimental on maintaining an active lifestyle among children with DS.The parents didn't perceive any negative reactions from other parents or children.However,they perceived that their children with DS slowed down and sank the sports activity so they often gave up the training.