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Comparison of Patterns of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Between Children With Cerebral Palsy and Children
Jennifer M Ryan1, Cuisle Forde2, Juliette M Hussey3
1J.M. Ryan, PhD, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom, and School of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. Jennifer.Ryan@brunel.ac.uk.
Insights
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) engage in less moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and more sedentary behavior than typically developing peers. This highlights a need for targeted interventions to improve activity levels in children with CP.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric physical therapy
- Movement science
- Childhood disability research
Background:
- Reduced physical activity and increased sedentary behavior are linked to negative health outcomes like overweight, chronic disease, and disability.
- Understanding physical activity and sedentary behavior in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is crucial for developing effective interventions and recommendations.
- Optimizing physical activity levels and reducing sedentary time in children with CP can mitigate associated health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and compare levels of light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity, as well as sedentary behavior.
- To analyze differences in physical activity and sedentary behavior between preadolescent children with CP and those with typical development.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 66 children aged 6 to 10 years.
- Participants included 33 children with CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] levels I-III) and 33 age- and sex-matched typically developing children.
- Physical activity was objectively measured using the RT3 accelerometer over a 7-day period.
Main Results:
- Children with CP exhibited significantly more sedentary behavior compared to their typically developing peers.
- Children with CP accumulated less total physical activity, moderate activity, vigorous activity, and fewer sustained bouts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).
- Fewer bouts of MVPA and vigorous activity were observed in children with CP, even when bout duration was similar.
Conclusions:
- Preadolescent children with CP demonstrate reduced moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and increased sedentary behavior relative to typically developing children.
- Children with CP accumulate less continuous MVPA and vigorous activity due to fewer sustained bouts throughout the day.
- Limitations include a small sample size for GMFCS levels II and III, preventing adjustment for GMFCS level in the analysis.
Background:
Reduced participation in physical activity and increased time spent in sedentary behavior are associated with overweight, chronic disease, and disability. In order to optimize recommendations and interventions to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior in children with cerebral palsy (CP), knowledge of their physical activity and sedentary behavior is needed.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to describe light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior in preadolescent children with and without CP and compare physical activity and sedentary behavior between the 2 groups.
Design:
This was a cross-sectional study of 33 children, aged 6 to 10 years, with CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] levels I-III) and 33 age- and sex-matched children with typical development.
Methods:
Physical activity was measured using the RT3 accelerometer over 7 days.
Results:
Children with CP spent more time in sedentary behavior and accumulated less total activity, moderate activity, vigorous activity, and sustained bouts of moderate-to-vigorous activity (MVPA). They also accumulated a fewer number of bouts of MVPA and vigorous activity, despite spending a similar amount of time in each bout.
Limitations:
The small number of children in GMFCS levels II and III did not allow for adjustment for GMFCS level when comparing physical activity between children with and without CP.
Conclusions:
Preadolescent children with CP spent less time in moderate and vigorous activity and more time in sedentary behavior than children with typical development. Children with CP also accumulated less continuous MVPA and vigorous activity as a result of achieving fewer sustained bouts of MVPA and vigorous activity throughout the day.
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