Physical activity cost in children following an acquired brain injury--a comparative study.
BACKGROUND
Alterations in energy expenditure during activity post head injury has not been investigated due primarily to the difficulty of measurement.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare energy expenditure during activity and body composition of children following acquired brain injury (ABI) with data from a group of normal controls.


METHODS
Energy expenditure was measured using the Cosmed K4b(2) in a group of 15 children with ABI and a group of 67 normal children during rest and when walking and running. Mean number of steps taken per 3 min run was also recorded and body composition was measured.


RESULTS
The energy expended during walking was not significantly different between both groups. A significant difference was found between the two groups in the energy expended during running and also for the number of steps taken as children with ABI took significantly less steps than the normal controls during a 3 min run.


CONCLUSIONS
Children with ABI exert more energy per activity than healthy controls when controlled for velocity or distance. However, they expend less energy to walk and run when they are free to choose their own desirable, comfortable pace than normal controls.
Littlewood
Robyn A
RA
Children's Nutrition Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Queensland, Australia. s310501@student.uq.edu.au
Davies
Peter S W
PS
Cleghorn
Geoff J
GJ
Grote
Robyn H
RH
D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*