Physical activity patterns in adults with Down Syndrome

Background Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) are less physically active than the general population, but limited data on objective physical activity patterns in adults with DS are available. Methods Free-living physical activity was measured by waist-worn accelerometry in adults with DS from 2018 to 2020. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, bivariate and regression analyses. Results Fifty-two subjects provided valid accelerometer data, with 46% male and a majority (75%) overweight/obese. Median (+/- standard deviation) daily sedentary time was 393.5 +/- 216.6 min, light activity was 150.7 +/- 85.5 min, moderate activity was 6.3 +/- 13.5 min, and vigorous activity was 0 +/- 9.8 min. Subjects had 10.3 +/- 4.8 sedentary bouts per day lasting on average 30.7 +/- 62.0 min. Median daily step count was 3,050 +/- 1,988. Adults living alone had more steps and light physical activity in adjusted analyses. Conclusion Adults with DS engage in little health-enhancing physical activity and do not meet current physical activity recommendations in the United States.