Cardiac autonomic function during submaximal treadmill exercise in adults with Down syndrome

▶ Cardiac autonomic function of adults with and without Down syndrome during exercise. ▶ We examine changes in spectral heart rate variability at similar exercise intensity. ▶ There is appropriate vagal withdrawal in adults with Down syndrome during exercise. ▶ There is greater sympathetic activation in adults with Down syndrome during exercise. ▶ The increase in heart rate with exercise is lower in adults with Down syndrome. ▶ Results suggest poor cardiac responsiveness to changes in autonomic modulation.