[Influence of regular exercise on erythrocyte catalase activity in adolescents with Down syndrome]

Individuals with Down syndrome have been generally described as having high levels of oxidative stress. In order to improve their redox metabolism, the present study was undertaken to ascertain the influence of regular exercise in erythrocyte catalase activity in this population.

31 male adolescents with Down syndrome--mean age (standard deviation): 16.1 (1.1) years--performed a 12-week training program with 3 days/week, consisting of warm up (15 min), followed by a main part (20-35 min) at a work intensity of 60-75% of peak heart rate (HRmax = 194.5 - [0.56 age]) and by a cool-down period (10 min). 7 adolescents with trisomy 21 age, sex and body mass index-matched were used as controls. Beutler's method was used to determine catalase activity in the supernatant of erythrocyte hemolysates.

When compared to baseline values, catalase activity was not increased significantly--1,607.0 (231) U/gHb vs 1,663.2 (280) U/gHb; (p = 0.151)- after a 12-week training program. No significant differences were found in controls.

Regular exercise did not increase significantly catalase activity. Further studies are required in order to highlight potential benefits of regular exercise in redox metabolism of Down syndrome individuals.