Article

PURPOSE: The purpose was to establish criterion-related validity of the 16-metre
PACER and six-minute walk distance (6MWD) tests to VO2 peak as well as predictors
of VO2 peak in adults with Down syndrome (DS). METHODS: Adults with DS (24 males
and 19 females) aged 18-50 years performed the three aerobic tests on
non-consecutive days during a one-week period. To assess validity, peak oxygen
uptake was measured directly on a motorized treadmill. Pearson-product moment
correlations were performed. Predictors of VO2 peak were assessed with a stepwise
multiple regression analysis. Agreement between PACER and VO2 peak was assessed
by Bland-Altman plot. RESULTS: Linear regression revealed that the PACER (R(2 )=(
)0.86) and the 6MWD (R(2 )=( )0.75) were significantly related to VO2 peak (p <
0.05). Both the 16-metre PACER and the 6MWD significantly correlated with VO2
peak for adults with DS. The relationship was stronger for the 16-metre shuttle
run test (r = 0.87) than the 6MWD (r = 0.78). The correlation between VO2 peak
and both field tests, controlling for age, gender and BMI, remained significant
(r > 0.7; p < 0.05). PACER, 6MWD and BMI are significant predictors of VO2 peak
(p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The 16-metre PACER and 6MWD are valid field tests for
predicting aerobic capacity in adults with DS. Implications for Rehabilitation
The 16-metre PACER and 6MWD tests are safe and feasible for use in adults with
DS. Both tests are valid indicators of cardio-respiratory fitness as assessed by
moderate-to-strong coefficients of determination and correlation coefficients.
Both field tests along with BMI are predictors of aerobic capacity.

Langue : ANGLAIS