Article

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the work performed on the
center of mass by the legs of children with cerebral palsy. 10 children that were
diagnosed as having cerebral palsy with spastic diplegia (Age=9.1+/-2 years), and
10 healthy children with no walking disabilities participated (Age=9.4+/-2
years). We collected individual leg ground reaction forces from four force
platforms, and calculated the mechanical work performed on the center of mass by
the lead and trail legs. The normalized walking speeds were not significantly
(p=0.33) different between the children with cerebral palsy (0.26+/-0.07) and the
controls (0.28+/-0.06). The children with cerebral palsy performed significantly
more negative work by the lead leg during double support (p=0.0004), and
significantly less positive work by the trail leg (p<0.00001). During single
support, the children with cerebral palsy performed significantly more positive
work on the center of mass (p<0.00001). No significant differences were found for
the amount of negative work performed by the leg in single support (p=0.84).
Children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy show a diminished ability to
appropriately perform mechanical work by the legs to lift and redirect the center
of mass. The altered mechanical work performed by the legs on the center of mass
may play a role in the higher metabolic cost for walking noted in children with
cerebral palsy.
CI - Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS