The relationship of physical activity to health status and quality of life in cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the influence of functional level, ambulatory, and physical activity performance on self-reported health status and quality of life (QOL) of youth with cerebral palsy (CP) and with typical development.


METHODS
A cross-sectional comparison cohort design was used in 81 youth with CP, ages 10 to 13 years and 30 youth with typical development. Participants wore the StepWatch monitor for 7 days and completed the Activity Scale for Kids, Child Health Questionnaire-Child Form, and Youth Quality of Life Questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis was used.


RESULTS
Self-reported activity performance influenced self-reported physical (beta = 0.36), behavioral (beta = 0.32), and emotional (beta = 0.29) health. Functional level and performance did not influence QOL.


CONCLUSIONS
Measures of ambulatory and physical activity and youth-reported health status separated from the measure of QOL seem helpful in defining the specific health issues of ambulatory youth with CP and have implications for physical activity intervention.
Bjornson
Kristie F
KF
Pediatrics/Genetics and Developmental Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. kristie.bjornson@seattlechildrens.org
Belza
Basia
B
Kartin
Deborah
D
Logsdon
Rebecca
R
McLaughlin
John
J
Thompson
Elaine Adams
EA
D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology