Physical activity in young children with cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to describe the physical activity levels of 5- and 7-year-old children with cerebral palsy (CP, n = 97), to compare their physical activity levels with those of typically developing peers (TD, n = 57) and the Dutch recommendation for physical activity, and to investigate the associated factors.


METHODS
The level of physical activity (hours spent on sports and physical activity per week) and contextual factors were assessed with standardised questionnaires.


RESULTS
Mean duration of self-reported physical activity for children with CP was 3.4 (+/- 1.9) h/week, which was significantly less than the 5.8 (+/- 2.3) h/week for TD-peers. Ninety-three percent of the children with CP were insufficiently physically active according to the Dutch recommendation for physical activity. Multiple regression analyses showed that younger age and lower educational level of the mother were significantly associated with lower levels of physical activity for children with CP, while severity of CP was not associated with physical activity levels. Twenty-two percent of the parents reported that more facilities in sport and games are required for children with CP.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical activity is low in young children with CP and needs to be promoted at an early stage.
Zwier
J Nathalie
JN
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
van Schie
Petra E M
PE
Becher
Jules G
JG
Smits
Dirk-Wouter
DW
Gorter
Jan Willem
JW
Dallmeijer
Annet J
AJ
D000367:Age Factors; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D009043:Motor Activity; D009426:Netherlands; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013177:Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires