Accelerometry protocol for determining levels of physical activity of mothers and children with down syndrome: Sao Paulo T21 Cohort

• Grant number: 25/07263-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Maternal and Child Health
• Agreement: Instituto Jô Clemente
• Principal Investigator: Fábio Bertapelli
• Grantee: Thomás Alfredo de Carvalho
• Host Institution: Instituto Jô Clemente (IJC). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/12022-8 - São Paulo T21 Birth Cohort Study: longitudinal study of health and development of children with Down Syndrome in the city of São Paulo, AP.JP

Abstract

Levels of physical activity (PA) are associated with general health in the general population of mothers and children. However, there is a lack of data regarding the PA levels of mothers and children with Down syndrome (DS). The objectives of the research are: 1) to determine appropriate protocols for measuring PA in mothers and children with DS from the Sao Paulo T21 Cohort; 2) to assess PA levels of mothers and children with DS at the age of 6 months. The working group (GT21) will administer GT9X Link accelerometers to mothers and children with DS in the first half of 2024. Accelerometry protocols will be examined by analyzing the number of days required (1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days, including weekends), the position of the accelerometer (child: wrist or ankle; mother: wrist or waist) and the acceptability of the accelerometers. PA levels will be determined over a period of 5 days, 24 hours a day, with daily acceleration averages. In addition, GT21 will conduct an interview with the mothers to examine acceptability. Interviews will be recorded and transcribed to assess acceptability. It is hoped that the findings of the research will help in the development of the "Accelerometry Cohort T21 Sao Paulo" protocol.