Article

PURPOSE: To evaluate the physical strain of comfortable walking in children with
mild cerebral palsy (CP) in comparison to typically developing (TD) children.
Physical strain was defined as the oxygen uptake during walking (VO(2walk))
expressed as a percentage of their maximal aerobic capacity (VO(2peak)). METHOD:
Eighteen children (aged 8-16 years) participated, including eight ambulant
children (four girls, four boys) with mild spastic CP (three hemiplegia, five
diplegia, GMFCS I: n = 7 and II: n = 1) and 10 TD children. VO(2walk) was
measured during 5 min of walking on an indoor track at comfortable walking speed.
VO(2peak) was measured in a shuttle run test. RESULTS: VO(2walk) was
significantly higher in CP (19.7 (2.8) ml/kg/min) compared to TD (16.8 (3.6)
ml/kg/min, p = 0.033), while walking speed did not differ significantly between
groups. VO(2peak) was significantly lower in CP (37.2 (2.2) ml/kg/min) compared
to TD (45.0 (5.3) ml/kg/min, p = 0.001). Consequently, the physical strain during
walking was significantly higher in CP (52 (7.7) %) compared to TD (36 (8.4) %, p
= 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The higher physical strain during comfortable walking of
children with mild CP compared to TD children may be related to reported problems
with fatigue in this population, and suggest a need for physical aerobic training
programmes.

Langue : ANGLAIS