Inactive and sedentary lifestyles amongst ambulatory adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy.
BACKGROUND
To assess physical behaviour, including physical activity and sedentary behaviour, of ambulatory adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy (CP). We compared participant physical behaviour to that of able-bodied persons and assessed differences related to Gross Motor Functioning Classification System (GMFCS) level and CP distribution (unilateral/bilateral).


METHODS
In 48 ambulatory persons aged 16 to 24 years with spastic CP and in 32 able-bodied controls, physical behaviour was objectively determined with an accelerometer-based activity monitor. Total duration, intensity and type of physical activity were assessed and sedentary time was determined (lying and sitting). Furthermore, distribution of walking bouts and sitting bouts was specified.


RESULTS
Adolescents and young adults with CP spent 8.6% of 24 hours physically active and 79.5% sedentary, corresponding with respectively 123 minutes and 1147 minutes per 24 hours. Compared to able-bodied controls, persons with CP participated 48 minutes less in physical activities (p < 0.01) and spent 80 minutes more sedentary per 24 hours (p < 0.01). Physical behaviour was not different between persons with GMFCS level I and II and only number of short sitting bouts were significantly more prevalent in persons with bilateral CP compared to unilateral CP (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Ambulatory adolescents and young adults with CP are less physically active and spend more time sedentary compared to able-bodied persons, suggesting that this group may be at increased risk for health problems related to less favourable physical behaviour.


BACKGROUND
Nederlands trial register: NTR1785.
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Research lines MoveFit & Transition and Lifespan Research, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, P,O, Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. c.nooijen@erasmusmc.nl.
Carla Fj
CF
Nooijen
Jorrit
J
Slaman
Henk J
HJ
Stam
Marij E
ME
Roebroeck
Rita J van den
RJ
Berg-Emons
D061725:Accelerometry / Q000379:methods; D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D055815:Young Adult