The study researches swimming in the development of the cardiorespiratory capabilities of individuals with Down Syndrome. Twenty-three individuals, 11 men and 12 women, living in Distrito Federal - Brazil, with ages ranging from 14 to 43 years old, were observed. The research follows the transversal method to determine the VO2sub-maximum and the VEsub-maximum and to compare swimming to other six different sports. Eleven individuals were practicing swimming three times a week, during 50 minutes, and 12 individuals were practicing soccer, climbing, tennis, field hockey, handball or athletics in the same frequency. The cardiorespiratory capability was evaluated by Sub-Maximum Test for Fitness in cycloergometer, connected to the Teem 100 system, all prescriptions of American College of Sports Medicine (2000) were followed. The results showed the same behavior for the maximum percent of heart tax predicted by age, VO2sub-maximum and VEsub-maximum of individuals that carry Down Syndrome and of individuals that don`t carry Down Syndrome. The results verified a significant increase (p<0,05) in both variables: VO2sub- maximum and VEsub- maximum for the men group. Among the sports, no significant difference was observed. The study concluded that the kind of physical exercise is not significant to the development of cardiorespiratory capabilities.