Influence of a gymnastics program in motor development and body mass index of children with Down syndrome

O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a influência de um programa de Ginástica sobre o desenvolvimento motor, crescimento e o índice de massa corporal (IMC) de crianças com SD. O estudo de caráter experimental durou 12 semanas e contou com sete crianças (6 meninos e 1 menina) com Síndrome de Down com idades entre 3 e 5 anos. As crianças foram avaliadas antes e após a intervenção profissional nas variáveis de desenvolvimento motor, de peso, estatura e IMC. As sete crianças com SD tinham peso corporal médio de 13,6 ± 2,66 kg antes da intervenção e de 14,3 ± 2,44 kg. após a intervenção. A média da estatura foi de 93,3 ±6,38 cm antes e de 93,8± 6,34 cm após a intervenção. O IMC encontrado foi de 16,25 ± 0,99 kg/m² antes do programa e de 16,2 ± 1,08 kg/m² ao final do programa. O programa de Ginástica não promoveu alterações estatisticamente significantes nas variáveis antropométricas, todavia em relação às habilidades motoras esta prática corporal contribuiu significativamente aproximando as crianças aos valores de referência estabelecidos para as respectivas idades das mesmas.Down syndrome (DS) is caused by a genetic malfunction occurring from the moment of conception, or immediately thereafter, which causes a delay in the development of the motor and mental functions (SCHWARTZMAN, 1999). According to Dalla Déa, Baldin, Dalla Déa (2009), there are some characteristics in common among people with DS. However, not all of such characteristics are present in all of the people. Some show few characteristics whereas others may show a larger number of them. Among the physical characteristics, we can highlight the epicanthic wrinkle and obliquely placed eyes, small ears with low implant, small nose, hypotonic tongue, small mouth and teeth, fine and straight hair, transversal palm wrinkle, distance among the toes and deep hollow in the sole of the feet. In Brazil, according to the results of the 2000 IBGE (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística) Census, there are 8.000 new cases of children with the syndrome every year in Brazil, that is, around 300 thousand people have acquired Down syndrome (MOELLER, 2006). The objective of this dissertation is to study the influence of a gymnastics program on the motor development, growth and body mass index (BMI) in children with DS. The study is regarded as experimental, of the before and after type (GIL, 2009). Seven children with DS aged 3 to 7, who took part regularly in the APAE activities were included. The research has been approved in the Committee for Ethics in Research with Human Beings of the PRPPG of the UFG (no 082/2008). The intervention was conducted from August to December, 2008. In order to evaluate motor development Francisco Rosa Netos s (2002) Scale of Motor Development (SMD) was used, and in order to determine BMI Key s (1973) equation and WHO values (2007) were used. BMI was evaluated also taking into consideration the parameters for children with Down syndrome (ZAN MUSTACCI, 2002). For the statistical treatment, the average and standard deviation of all quantitative data obtained before and after the intervention have been calculated. The Wilson test was employed to compare the moments, and significance level reached 5%. All procedures were conducted in the computer pack SPSS, 10.0. The seven children with DS had average body weight of 13,6 ± 2,66 before the intervention and 14,3 ± 2,44 kg after the intervention. The BMI found was 16,25 ± 0,99 kg/m² before the program and 16,2 ± 1,08 kg/m² at the end of the program. The gymnastics did not produce statistically significant alterations in the anthropometric variables. Nevertheless, in connection with motor abilities, this practice has contributed significantly approximating the children to the reference values established for their respective ages