| Sumario: | Background: Social participation for adults with Down syndrome decreases markedly after graduation from high school. The purpose of this research was to see if a group aquatic exercise program for adults with Down syndrome could affect their perceptions of quality of life and participation. Methods: This study utilized a mixed methods design with a pre-post test using the Adult Activity Card Sort, a quality of life survey, and a semi-structured interview. The intervention consisted of 5 sessions of 1 hour each, performing aquatic aerobic exercise to music. The study began with 7 participants, but only 2 were able to attend every session. One was already socially active prior to the study (participant 1), but the other was not (participant 2). Data Analysis: Results from the Activity Card Sort were analyzed utilizing a categorical McNemar test. This test was based on the number of cards selected for the "Doing Now" category before and after the aquatic program. Results: Participant 1's pre- and post-results did not indicate a significant difference in the "Doing Now" category. Participant 2's pre- and post-results, however, demonstrated a significant increase, X2 = 7 (significant, p < .05). Participant 2's caretaker reported that after the program, this participant was more likely to participate in the activities offered to him. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that this group aquatic exercise program helped increase the active participation of a less active adult male with Down syndrome. Although the results of this study are intriguing, they should be interpreted with caution. Further research is encouraged, with a larger sample.
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