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Motor Competence in Individuals with Down Syndrome: Is an Improvement Still Possible in Adulthood?

Author

Listed:
  • Federico Quinzi

    (Department of Human Movement and Health Science, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Vannozzi

    (Department of Human Movement and Health Science, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy)

  • Valentina Camomilla

    (Department of Human Movement and Health Science, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy)

  • Maria Francesca Piacentini

    (Department of Human Movement and Health Science, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy)

  • Florin Boca

    (Romanian Karate Federation, 022103 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Eric Bortels

    (I-Karate Global Federation—IKANDO, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium)

  • Eva Kathrein

    (Karate Club Bregenz, 6900 Bregenz, Austria)

  • Adrian Magyar

    (Hungarian Karate Federation, 1146 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Fabio Verdone

    (Italian Karate Federation—FIJLKAM, 00122 Rome, Italy)

  • Paola Sbriccoli

    (Department of Human Movement and Health Science, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

In children, motor competence (MC) and the amount of physical activity are tightly interconnected. In adults with Down syndrome (DS), MC has been poorly addressed, resulting in a limited understanding of the possibility to improve MC over time. Here, we aim to: (1) investigate MC in adults with DS by comparing them with a group of typically developed peers and (2) verify the effect of an adapted karate program on MC. Adults with DS (DSG; n = 57) and typically developed adults (TDG; n = 21) performed the Test of Gross Motor Development version 3 (TGMD-3). The total TGMD-3 score ( TOT TGMD-3), the locomotor ( LOC TGMD-3), and object control ( OBJ TGMD-3) scores were computed. After a 40 week adapted karate program, DSG ( n = 37) underwent the post-training TGMD-3 assessment. Compared to TDG, DSG showed lower TOT TGMD-3 (DSG: 45.5 ± 17.3; TDG: 77.3 ± 9.5), LOC TGMD-3 (DSG: 22.2 ± 10.0; TDG: 36.2 ± 7.6) and OBJ TGMD-3 (DSG: 23.3 ± 10.9; TDG: 41.1 ± 5.6). After the training, TOT TGMD-3, LOC TGMD-3 and OBJ TGMD-3 increased by 35.6%, 30.0% and 40.7%, respectively. Our results suggest that MC acquisition does not evolve into a mature form in adulthood in individuals with DS. Moreover, a brief exposure to an adapted karate program induces an increase in motor competence in DS, even in adulthood.

Suggested Citation

  • Federico Quinzi & Giuseppe Vannozzi & Valentina Camomilla & Maria Francesca Piacentini & Florin Boca & Eric Bortels & Eva Kathrein & Adrian Magyar & Fabio Verdone & Paola Sbriccoli, 2022. "Motor Competence in Individuals with Down Syndrome: Is an Improvement Still Possible in Adulthood?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:2157-:d:749177
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