Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between lower limb muscle strength,
passive muscle properties, and functional capacity outcomes in adults with
cerebral palsy (CP).
SETTING: Tertiary institution
biomechanics laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with spastic-type CP (N=33; mean
age, 25y; range, 15-51y; mean body mass, 70.15+/-21.35kg) who were either Gross
Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level I (n=20)
or level II (n=13).
INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Six-minute walk test (6MWT)
distance (m), lateral step-up (LSU) test performance (total repetitions), timed
up-stairs (TUS) performance (s), maximum voluntary isometric strength of plantar
flexors (PF) and dorsiflexors (DF) (Nm.kg(-1)), and passive ankle joint and
muscle stiffness. RESULTS: Maximum isometric PF strength independently explained
61% of variance in 6MWT performance, 57% of variance in LSU test performance, and
50% of variance in TUS test performance. GMFCS level was significantly and
independently related to all 3 functional capacity outcomes, and age was retained
as a significant independent predictor of LSU and TUS test performance. Passive
medial gastrocnemius muscle fascicle stiffness and ankle joint stiffness were not
significantly related to functional capacity measures in any of the multiple regression models. CONCLUSIONS: Low isometric PF strength was the most important
independent variable related to distance walked on the 6MWT, fewer repetitions on
the LSU test, and slower TUS test performance.
These findings suggest lower
isometric muscle strength contributes to the decline in functional capacity in
adults with CP.
CI - Copyright (c) 2018 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS