# Some Biomechanical and Anthropmetric Differences Between Elite Swimmers with Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disabilities

## TL;DR

This study compares biomechanical and body differences between elite swimmers with Down syndrome and those with intellectual disabilities.

## Contribution

It identifies unique coordination patterns and anthropometric disadvantages in swimmers with Down syndrome.

## Key findings

- Swimmers with Down syndrome have smaller anthropometric measurements and slower swimming velocities.
- They exhibit higher intracyclic velocity variation and different coordination patterns compared to those with intellectual disabilities.
- These differences suggest lower swimming efficiency in swimmers with Down syndrome.

## Abstract

The purpose was to characterize and compare biomechanical and coordinative parameters at maximum velocity between swimmers with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities and examine these in relation to their anthropometrics. Nine swimmers (four with Down syndrome and five with intellectual disabilities) performed three bouts of 25 m crawl stroke, each at maximum velocity, which were recorded with the Qualysis motion analysis system. Anthropometric variables, BMI, and percentage of body fat were also assessed. Swimmers with Down syndrome presented a smaller height, acromion height, sitting height, arm span, hand length, hand width, foot length, foot width, and velocity than swimmers with intellectual disabilities. Swimmers with Down syndrome have disadvantageous anthropometrics and slower swimming velocities compared to swimmers with intellectual disabilities. Those swimmers also appear to present distinctive coordination (catch-up for Down syndrome and superposition for intellectual disabilities) and intracyclic velocity variation (Down syndrome presented higher values) compared to swimmers with intellectual disabilities, suggesting a lower swimming efficiency.