1. Analysis of the study, “Influence of long-term exercise training on submaximal and peak aerobic
capacity and locomotor economy in adult males with Down syndrome”
Shannon Laratonda
University of Pittsburgh
December 2009
Physiology of Exercise

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Abstract
The purpose of this document is to interpret, analyze and discuss a study done by Mendonca, G.
and Pereira, F. in 2009 on measuring physiologic adaptability of adult males with Down
syndrome after long-term physical activity.

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The main purpose of this study was to determine whether adult males with Down
syndrome (DS) would benefit after a 28-week aerobic training program. The factors tested were
their submaximal and maximal aerobic capacity and locomotor economy (ratio of work done to
energy expended). Individuals with a poor locomotor economy use more oxygen than
individuals with a higher locomotor economy performing the same steady state exercises. The
study began with a 12 week familiarization period where the 12 obese, male participants with DS
were given time to familiarize themselves with the equipment and testing procedures twice a
week for 30 minutes. Baseline heart rate measurements were taken before this familiarization
period in order to prescribe them each a target HR. During this period, participants were asked
to train at an intensity of 50-60% of their heart rate reserve. Baseline physiological and body
composition assessments though, were not established until after this 12 week period. There
were tests taken from each participant before and after the 28-week training. BMI measurements
were obtained using their height and weight. Body composition and percent body fat were
measured by bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) with the frequency at 50kHz. A resting
steady state VO2 measurement was taken from each participant after being seated for 5 minutes
followed by a 0% grade, 8 minute walk on a treadmill in order to obtain submaximal steady state
VO2 and pulmonary minute ventilation (VE) measurements. After this warm-up, a maximal
graded exercise test was assessed to measure maximal VO2.
There were no significant changes in body composition overall but the percentage of FM
decreased after the 28 weeks of training and the percentage of FFM increased. This left no
significant changes in body mass or BMI. Post training resting VO2 and HR measurements did
not differ significantly either. Maximal exercise capacity had significant improvements where
maximal VO2 increased 27.8% and time until exhaustion on graded treadmill exercise also

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increased. The training also had positive influences on maximal VE by increasing 30.1%. There
were no significant changes in max HR or max RER.
In conclusion to the 28 week training program, the study shows that changes were made
in improving body composition and maximal cardiovascular fitness. Even though the
participants did not improve their LE or submaximal VE, they exercised at lower RER, which
contributes to a positive physiological adaptation to individuals with DS. The results also show
that after training, these subjects rely more on FFA for energy production and save carbohydrates
for higher exercise intensities (this is commonly found in healthy individuals). A trend was
found afterwards that for the same workload, the individuals were able to work at a lower
intensity; this is related to the increase in VO2 max. Other exercise frequencies, intensities, or
durations would be needed to find changes in submaximal VO2. Having such an increase in
maximal VE after training says that these DS individuals improved their ventilatory endurance
and furthermore prolonged the onset of diaphragm muscle fatigue during intense exercise.
I find the researchers carefulness in carrying out the submaximal and maximal aerobic
capacity as well as economy tests to be effective in this study. As for the choice of tests, I
believe they fit best when obtaining measurements from these specific individuals. We learned
about all of them in labs throughout the semester and I find all of them to fit the research criteria
best. I am not a big fan of bioelectrical impedance for obtaining body composition and
percentage body fat measurements only because I did not feel like it was an accurate measure of
my body composition in lab. The investigators carried out the testing procedure way more
carefully than we did though. They connected the electrodes and had them lie still for a few
minutes whereas we just stood on a scale after removing our shoes. I would prefer hydrostatic
weighing over BIS for this measurement but I do not know how individuals with DS would

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respond to this type of testing procedure having to be underwater for a short time period. The
graded treadmill test seems to be the most effective technique for acquiring maximal VO2
measurements; I think the participants responded well to this test. The equations used for
obtaining target HR and HRR values were also legit. It was perfect to obtain pre and post
training measurements but since the program is 28 weeks, they could have also ran the tests
halfway through and maybe increased some of the individuals exercise intensities. This research
was a good baseline study though for this special population since not many have yet been
carried out.
All in all, I found this study to be quite intriguing. It allowed me to see the detail in
carrying out such protocols. It helps that the tests were carried out on a specific population.
Going through the protocols in lab were helpful as an introduction but the populations are not
always going to be as fit as us students so it was good for me to read about the preciseness that
goes along with that. I would like to follow-up on the same research study carried out on DS
females since the article mentioned that none have been done yet. I predict similar increases
with maybe lower percentages and overall statistics of course.

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References
Mendonca, G. and Pereira, F. (February 2009). Influence of long-term exercise training on
submaximal and peak aerobic capacity and locomotor economy in adult males with
Down’s syndrome. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19179964.