title: Validity evidence of the Lateral Step Up (LSU) test for adolescents with spastic cerebral palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study examined the concurrent and construct validity of the Lateral Step Up (LSU) test, for adolescents with CP.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 35 adolescents, classified as GMFCS Levels I, II and III, were examined using LSU, GMFM - 88 (D & E), other functional mobility measures (TUG, STS, TUDS), body structures and functions (strength, ROM and spasticity).
  
  
  RESULTS
  LSU inter-correlations with: (i) GMFM - 88 (D & E) (r = 0.656), (ii) functional mobility measures (r = -0.567 to 0.721) and (iii) body structures and functions (r = 0.155 to 0.563) were at the appropriate range. The LSU differentiated adolescents with CP (F = 16.185, p = 0.000, η(2) = 0.503), according to their GMFCS (I > II, II > III, I > III). Finally, 50.27% of the LSU variability was explained by GMFCS differences, with 65.7% of adolescents classified correctly across the three levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LSU may be perceived as a valid instrument for assessing the functional mobility of adolescents with CP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • LSU is valid for assessing functional mobility and strength in CP adolescents. • LSU may be used in accordance with other functional mobility measures in the school environment. • The LSU may be used from physical therapists to predict the functional mobility of CP adolescents at GMFCS Levels I–III.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Laboratory of Adapted Physical Activity/Developmental and Physical Disabilities, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. n.chrysagis@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chrysagis
authors.forename: Emmanouil K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Skordilis
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tsiganos
authors.forename: Dimitra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Koutsouki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000145:classification*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D053580:Muscle Strength; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016138:Walking