Gross motor function is an important predictor of daily physical activity in young people with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy

Bania, TA; Taylor, NF; Baker, RJ; Graham, HK; Karimi, L; Dodd, KJ

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to describe daily physical activity levels of adolescents and young adults with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP) and to identify factors that help predict these levels.

Method: Daily physical activity was measured using an accelerometer-based activity monitor in 45 young people with bilateral spastic CP (23 males, 22 females; mean age 18y 6mo [SD 2y 5mo] range 16y 1mo–20y 11mo); classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level II or III and with contractures of <20° at hip and knee. Predictor variables included demographic characteristics (age, sex, weight) and physical characteristics (gross motor function, lower limb muscle strength, 6min walk distance). Data were analyzed using the information-theoretic approach, using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and linear regression.

Results: Daily activity levels were low compared with published norms. Gross Motor Function Measure Dimension-E (GMFM-E; walking, running, and jumping) was the only common predictor variable in models that best predicted energy expenditure, number of steps, and time spent sitting/lying. GMFM Dimension-D (standing) and bilateral reverse leg press strength contributed to the models that predicted daily physical activity.

Interpretation: Adolescents and young adults with bilateral spastic CP and mild to moderate walking disabilities have low levels of daily activity. The GMFM-E was an important predictor of daily physical activity.

Citation

Bania, T., Taylor, N., Baker, R., Graham, H., Karimi, L., & Dodd, K. (2014). Gross motor function is an important predictor of daily physical activity in young people with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 56(12), 1163-1171. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.12548

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 15, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Jul 23, 2014
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2014
• Deposit Date: Jun 17, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 5, 2016
• Journal: Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology
• Print ISSN: 0012-1622
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 56
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 1163-1171
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.12548
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.12548
• Related Public URLs: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1469-8749
• Additional Information: Projects : Targeted strength training to improve functional walking capacity of adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy