Introduction:

Although there is consensus that the physical condition of people with Down syndrome is lower than their nondisabled counterparts, the specific behavior of this variable during the life cycle is unknown.

Objective:

To determine the behavior of anthropometry and physical condition variables in a population with Down syndrome over 10 years.

Methods:

This is a longitudinal comparative study, panel design, conducted with 16 subjects (13 males and 3 females) with Down syndrome between the ages of 10 and 25. Anthropometric and physical condition evaluations were conducted in 2009, 2014, and 2019 over a 10-year period. The variables measured were body mass, height, waist and hip circumference, and skinfolds. Along with body mass index, waist/hip ratio, and body fat percentage, static grip strength, abdominal muscle capacity, trunk flexibility, and aerobic capacity were also calculated.

Results:

Anthropometry and physical condition presented a negative development during the 10 years of study. The most significant change was the increase in fat percentage between 2009 and 2019 (p=0,00). In addition, a decrease in abdominal capacity was also found between 2009 and 2019 (p=0,00).

Conclusion:

Subjects with Down syndrome present a decreasing trend regarding the physical condition and anthropometry variables and a negative evolution from the health point of view, considering a follow-up period of 10 years.