Reliability and comparison of electromyographic and kinetic measurements during a standing reach task in children with and without cerebral palsy.
The purposes of this study of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and with typical development (TD) were to determine: (1) within session test-retest reliability of electromyography (EMG) of postural muscles [using motor coordination patterns (cMCP)] and center of pressure (COP) measures, (2) relationships between cMCP and COP measures, and (3) differences between children with CP and with TD. Data were collected twice during a standing reach task in 20 pairs of age and gender matched children, 8-14-years-old. Test-retest reliability was poor for cMCPs (kappa=0.16-0.21), but good for kinetic measures (ICC=0.69-0.87). Both groups demonstrated strong reliance on anterior-posterior neuromuscular control with greater variability in the children with CP. The group with TD showed greater control in anterior-posterior COP movements than did the group with CP. Anterior-posterior COP measures were associated with more effective cMCPs in both groups. These data support the concept of the center of gravity as a potential control parameter working with a flexible neuromuscular system for postural control.
Zaino
Christopher A
CA
Care for Children, Beijing, China.
McCoy
Sarah Westcott
SW
D000293:Adolescent; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D004576:Electromyography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000503:physiopathology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000503:physiopathology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology