Article

OBJECTIVE: To explore what factors besides walking ability, e.g., additional
health problems or complications, general health, and sociodemographic status,
may be related to physical activity in adults with cerebral palsy. DESIGN: We
administered a questionnaire regarding sociodemographic and health-related
factors of potential relevance to physical activity to 66 men
(20-41 yrs) and 66
women (18-39 yrs) with various types of cerebral palsy.
Data were analyzed using
logistic regression. RESULTS: Use of walking as the primary means of
self-transport (walking ability) was associated with a higher odds of being
physically active (odds ratio = 3.75; P = 0.002). Among those who could walk,
being younger and having a positive perception of health were also associated
with a higher odds of being active (odds ratios of 2.6 and 3.0, respectively).
This was not true among nonwalkers. For individuals who walked, inactivity was
associated with an increase in the severity (during the past 3 yrs) of several
additional health problems or complications. For the nonwalkers, inactivity was
most clearly associated with perceived range-of-motion limitations. CONCLUSIONS:
Among adults with cerebral palsy, the ability to walk, as expected, is associated
with being physically active.
The factors additionally related to physical
activity differ between walkers and nonwalkers.

Langue : ANGLAIS