Neuromuscular Diseases. Pediatric Sports Medicine for the Practitioner. New York: Springer; 1983. pp. 227-49. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4612-5593-2_7]

Muscle performance and gross motor function of children with spastic cerebral palsy

The purpose of this study was to determine whether, and to what extent, performance on a measure of motor function (Gross Motor Function Measure, GMFM) was related to the physiological fitness of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Two elements of physiological function were measured: aerobic power and anaerobic power of the arms and legs. 15 boys and eight girls aged between seven and 13.9 years with spastic CP participated in the study. There was a good relationship between the standing and walking, running and jumping sub-sections and the total score of the GMFM on one hand, and anaerobic capacity of the legs on the other. However, the relationships for the arms were limited, indicating that the GMFM is not a suitable tool for providing information about aerobic fitness in children with CP, or about anaerobic power of the arms.

Energy expenditure index of walking for normal children and for children with cerebral palsy

Energy expenditure indices (EEI) based on oxygen uptake and heart rate were used to compare the economy of walking at various speeds by normal and cerebral-palsied children. At low walking speeds, EEI values were high, indicating poor economy. At higher speeds the EEI values decreased until a range of maximum economy was reached. For normal children who were capable of walking beyond this range at higher speeds, the EEI increased again. This pattern was noted for both oxygen-uptake and heart-rate indices. Mean EEI values based on oxygen uptake and heart rate for normal children were significantly lower and occurred at faster walking speeds than values for children with cerebral palsy. EEI based on either oxygen uptake or heart rate can be used clinically to provide objective information to help evaluate the influence on gait function of surgical intervention, ambulatory aids or orthotics.