Article

Adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) show reduced motor
function and gait efficiency, and lower levels of habitual physical activity
(HPA), than adolescents with typical development and children with CP.
This study
examined activity duration and patterns in this population in the Middle East
through long-term monitoring of a large sample using accelerometers. METHOD:
Adolescents and young adults with bilateral CP at Gross Motor Function
Classification System (GMFCS) levels II, III, and IV, were monitored in their
habitual environment for four consecutive days with ActivPAL3 monitors. Time
spent in sedentary, standing, and walking activities, and frequency of walking
steps and transitions, were analysed for each GMFCS level. RESULTS: Measurements
were made on 222 participants (132 males, 90 females; mean age 16 y 9 mo SD 2y,
range 13 y 4 mo-22 y).
The Mann-Whitney U test demonstrated significant
differences (p<0.05) between GMFCS levels, showing reduced walking and standing
activity and increased sedentary duration at higher GMFCS levels (p<0.001),
except for increased standing time between GMFCS levels II and III (p=0.07).
Participants in educational facilities exhibited less sedentary behaviour than
those who were homebound (p<0.05). INTERPRETATION: These descriptions of duration
and frequency of active and sedentary behaviours may serve as a basis for
recommendations to minimize inactivity in this population. Adolescents and young
adults with CP in the Middle East demonstrate similar patterns of HPA to their
peers in other regions.
CI - (c) 2014 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS