Reliability and Validity of Physical Fitness Field‐Based Tests in Down Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Physical fitness is an important marker of health that can be measured by means of field‐based tests, though research about its psychometric properties when performed by people with Down syndrome is scarce. A systematic review was designed to identify the validity and reliability of the existing physical fitness field‐based tests that have been administered to individuals with Down syndrome. An evidence‐based search for peer‐reviewed studies was conducted informing about the reliability and/or validity of physical fitness field‐based tests that have been administered to individuals with Down syndrome utilizing the PubMed, PEDro, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus databases throughout the period November 2014 to May 2015. Of the 15 studies selected, all provided information about reliability, but only seven included validity measurement for the field tests chosen to assess physical fitness in Down syndrome cohorts. Aerobic resistance field test assessments were the most frequent, totalling 7 studies, while 5 investigations used strength tests instead and 3 of them used balance tests. Only one study used agility as a parameter. There was a noticeable lack of studies that analyzed the reliability or validity of physical fitness field‐based tests in people with Down syndrome, especially in adult and elderly populations. The half‐mile run‐walk, hand‐held dynamometer, and the four square balance tests seem to be the most valid field‐based tests when assessing aerobic endurance, muscular strength, and balance respectively in groups of persons with Down syndrome.

Feasibility and Reliability of a Physical Fitness Test Battery in Individuals with Down Syndrome

“…In the scientific literature, there exists research with the aim to determine the PF level of people with DS. According to the systematic review carried out by Ayán et al [10], most of them have been centred on performing a series of tests and describing the PF data obtained without previously checking the reliability and feasibility of the tools used in this population. In other cases, the test–retest has been analysed in one or various isolated tests—the majority obtained from a specific physical capacity.…”

“…With respect to psychometric properties, it has been highly recommended to emphasise providing information on measurement error as it contributes additional information to the ICC [41]. In a bibliographic review on PF tests in people with DS [10], it was concluded that although there exists much research, the tests on feasibility and reliability are scarce and are mainly performed in groups of young people. In this work, we also present MDC values which supplement those obtained in the ICC, SEM and feasibility.…”

“…The tests were selected based on their psychometric properties, their low cost and having been previously used both in subjects with DS [10,16,17], ID [18,19] and in other populations [20,21]. Eight field-based fitness tests were proposed to assess the PF of adults with DS.…”

“…It has been demonstrated in various studies that physical exercise, regardless of its intensity, decreases the rate and the seriousness of diseases derived from physical inactivity (such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, dyslipidemia or type II diabetes, among others) and fosters organic adaptations which positively impact on the autonomy of people with DS [9,10,11].…”

Assessment of Foot Shape in Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disability: A Pilot Study

“…Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that individuals in this group present with worse muscle strength than subjects with no disabilities [ 8 ]; therefore, many individuals with intellectual disability have behaviors and lifestyles that involve significantly lower levels of physical activity. Sedentary lifestyle and lack of sufficient exercise may in turn lead to foot deformation [ 9 , 10 ]; therefore, it is important to determine whether the above factors affect foot shape, leading to flat foot deformity. There are few reports on foot shape of individuals with intellectual disability.…”