Article

Rehabilitation research in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is
increasingly addressing cardiorespiratory fitness testing. However, evidence on
the reliability of peak oxygen uptake (Vo2peak) measurements, considered the best
indicator of aerobic fitness, is not The objective of this study was to establish the reliability of a progressive maximal
cycle ergometer test when assessing Vo2peak in children with mild to moderate CP.
DESIGN: Repeated measures were used to assess test-retest reliability. METHODS:
Eligible participants were ambulant, 6 to 14 years of age, and classified as
level I, II, or III according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System
(GMFCS). Two progressive maximal cycle ergometer tests were conducted (separated
by 3 weeks), with the workload increasing every minute in steps of 3 to 11 W,
dependent on height and GMFCS level. Reliability was determined by means of the
intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC [2,1]) and smallest detectable change
(SDC). RESULTS: Twenty-one children participated (GMFCS I: n=4; GMFCS II: n=12;
and GMFCS III: n=5). Sixteen of them (9 boys, 7 girls; GMFCS I: n=3; GMFCS II:
n=11; and GMFCS III: n=2) performed 2 successful tests, separated by 9.5 days on
average. Reliability for Vo2peak was excellent (ICC=.94, 95% confidence
interval=.83-.98). The SDC was 5.72 mL/kg/min, reflecting 14.6% of the mean.
LIMITATIONS: The small sample size did not allow separate analysis of reliability
per GMFCS level. CONCLUSIONS: In children with CP of GMFCS levels I and II, a
progressive maximal cycle ergometer test to assess Vo2peak is reliable and has
the potential to detect change in cardiorespiratory fitness over time. Further
study is needed to establish the reliability of Vo2peak in children of GMFCS
level III.

Langue : ANGLAIS