Characteristics associated with physical activity among independently ambulant children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy

Aim: This study aimed to quantify the contribution of physical, personal and environmental characteristics to physical activity among independently ambulant children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP). Method: One-hundred and two children with unilateral CP (52 males, 50 females; 52 right hemiplegi...

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Main Authors: Mitchell, L., Ziviani, J., Boyd, Roslyn
Format: Journal Article
Published: 2014
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/44447
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author Mitchell, L.
Ziviani, J.
Boyd, Roslyn
author_facet Mitchell, L.
Ziviani, J.
Boyd, Roslyn
author_sort Mitchell, L.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Aim: This study aimed to quantify the contribution of physical, personal and environmental characteristics to physical activity among independently ambulant children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP). Method: One-hundred and two children with unilateral CP (52 males, 50 females; 52 right hemiplegia; mean age 11y 3mo, range 8–17y [SD 2y 4mo]) classified at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I = 44 and II = 58 participated. Physical activity was measured over 4 days using ActiGraph accelerometers recording as activity counts. GMFCS, functional strength, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), mobility limitations (MobQues28), age, sex, Assessment of Life-Habits recreation domain, Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM-CY) and environmental characteristics were considered for selection in a linear regression model. These served as independent variables which were determined using a backwards selection procedure. Results: Younger age, male sex, increased performance on the 6MWT, and increased participation in the home and community measured using the PEM-CY were significantly associated with activity counts (p<0.001). However, the model fit was somewhat weak (R2=0.32), indicating that much of the variation was unexplained. Older age and reduced community participation were associated with high inactivity (p<0.001). Interpretation: Physical activity interventions should primarily target adolescents and females. Walking endurance and participation in the home and community may represent modifiable characteristics to increase physical activity.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-444472017-09-13T14:14:26Z Characteristics associated with physical activity among independently ambulant children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy Mitchell, L. Ziviani, J. Boyd, Roslyn Aim: This study aimed to quantify the contribution of physical, personal and environmental characteristics to physical activity among independently ambulant children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP). Method: One-hundred and two children with unilateral CP (52 males, 50 females; 52 right hemiplegia; mean age 11y 3mo, range 8–17y [SD 2y 4mo]) classified at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I = 44 and II = 58 participated. Physical activity was measured over 4 days using ActiGraph accelerometers recording as activity counts. GMFCS, functional strength, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), mobility limitations (MobQues28), age, sex, Assessment of Life-Habits recreation domain, Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM-CY) and environmental characteristics were considered for selection in a linear regression model. These served as independent variables which were determined using a backwards selection procedure. Results: Younger age, male sex, increased performance on the 6MWT, and increased participation in the home and community measured using the PEM-CY were significantly associated with activity counts (p<0.001). However, the model fit was somewhat weak (R2=0.32), indicating that much of the variation was unexplained. Older age and reduced community participation were associated with high inactivity (p<0.001). Interpretation: Physical activity interventions should primarily target adolescents and females. Walking endurance and participation in the home and community may represent modifiable characteristics to increase physical activity. 2014 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/44447 10.1111/dmcn.12560 unknown
spellingShingle Mitchell, L.
Ziviani, J.
Boyd, Roslyn
Characteristics associated with physical activity among independently ambulant children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy
title Characteristics associated with physical activity among independently ambulant children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy
title_full Characteristics associated with physical activity among independently ambulant children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy
title_fullStr Characteristics associated with physical activity among independently ambulant children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy
title_full_unstemmed Characteristics associated with physical activity among independently ambulant children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy
title_short Characteristics associated with physical activity among independently ambulant children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy
title_sort characteristics associated with physical activity among independently ambulant children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/44447