Effect of range of motion on aerobic capacity in adults with cerebral palsy

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between whole body range of motion (ROM) and aerobic capacity based on the fact that motor ability is closely related to ROM in adults with cerebral palsy (CP). The subjects were ambulant adults with CP (N=56). Their age, height, weight, and BMI were 36.4±9.2 years, 162.6±9.5 cm, 58.9±11.0 kg, and 22.2±3.4 kg·m (- 2), respectively. Active ROM (AROM) was measured in this study. Measurements included 25 AROMs of the cervical spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) was measured during a maximal treadmill test. Correlation analysis revealed that shoulder abduction and hip abduction were significantly associated with many other AROMs. Many AROMs including the cervical spine (rotation), shoulder (flexion, extension, and abduction), hip (internal rotation, external rotation, abduction and adduction), knee (flexion) and ankle (dorsiflexion and plantarflexion) were significantly correlated with VO2peak (p<0.05). The highest correlation coefficient was observed in the relationship between ankle dorsiflexion and VO2peak (p<0.01). Ankle dorsiflexion and cervical rotation of AROMs were maintained within the regression model of factors associated with VO2peak. The present study demonstrated a strong relationship between ankle dorsiflexion and cervical rotation of AROMs and VO2peak in ambulant adults with CP.