Impacts of low or vigorous levels of physical activity on body composition, hemodynamics and autonomic modulation in Down syndrome subjects

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the effect of low and vigorous levels of physical activity in body composition, hemodynamics and autonomic modulation in subjects with Down syndrome (DS). Methods: We evaluated 13 healthy subjects without DS (control group), 15 sedentary subjects with DS, (SED DS group), nine with DS with low intensity levels of physical activity (LIDS) and 12 with DS with vigorous levels of physical activity (VIDS). The physical activity level was measured using the IPAQ questionnaire. Body composition, hemodynamics and autonomic modulation were also evaluated. Results: The VIDS showed lower BMI than the control and SED DS group. Body fat (%) was lower in LIDS and VIDS than in the control and SED DS group. The systolic and diastolic arterial pressure values were similar among the groups. When normalized, the frequency domain showed higher LF/HF, higher LF (nu) and lower HF (nu) component of heart rate variability in sedentary DS than in the control group. However, LIDS and VIDS groups showed similar values in LF (nu), HF (nu) and LF/HF than the control group. The symbolic analysis showed greater 0V and lower values in 2LV in sedentary DS group when compared to the control group. However, the LIDS and VIDS did not show difference in 0V when compared to the control group. The 2LV was lower in LIDS and VIDS than in the control group, but 2UV was higher in VIDS than in the control group. Conclusion: We conclude that, regardless of the intensity, exercise can promote positive adaptations in the autonomic modulation of DS patients.