CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS AS RELATED TO LEG STRENGTH IN ADULTS WITH MENTAL-RETARDATION

The purpose of this study was to compare cardiovascular fitness to leg strength of young adults (mean age = 25.2 yr) with mental retardation (MR) with and without Down syndrome (DS) and to determine whether a r elationship exists. Thirteen adults (9 males, 4 females) with DS and 2 4 adults (16 males, 8 females) with MR but without DS participated in this study. Cardiovascular capacity (VO2peak) for each subject was det ermined by a treadmill test (GXT) and isokinetic knee flexion and exte nsion strength (peak torque and average power) were determined by isok inetic dy dynamometry. Results generally demonstrated significant posi tive relationships (P < 0.05) between VO2peak and isokinetic leg stren gth (r = 0.61), with the relationship being substantial mainly for sub jects with Down syndrome (r = 0.84). The results of this study suggest that leg strength may be an important contributor to VO2peak for pers ons with mental retardation.