Oudenhoven LM, Van Der Krogt MM, Ettema S, Roeleveld K, Brehm MA, Buizer AI. Fatigue-related gait adaptations in children with cerebral palsy.
Dev Med Child Neurol 2023;
65:1629-1638. [PMID:
37243486 DOI:
10.1111/dmcn.15660]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
AIM
To obtain insights into the effects of fatigue on the kinematics, kinetics, and energy cost of walking (ECoW) in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
METHOD
In this prospective observational study, 12 children with CP (mean age 12 years 9 months, SD 2 years 7 months; four females, eight males) and 15 typically developing children (mean age 10 years 8 months, SD 2 years 4 months; seven females, eight males) followed a prolonged intensity-based walking protocol on an instrumented treadmill, combined with gas analysis measurements. The protocol consisted of consecutive stages, including a 6-minute walking exercise (6MW) at comfortable speed, 2 minutes of moderate-intensity walking (MIW) (with a heart rate > 70% of its predicted maximal), and 4 minutes walking after MIW. If necessary, the speed and slope were incremented to reach MIW. Outcomes were evaluated at the beginning and end of the 6MW and after MIW.
RESULTS
With prolonged walking, Gait Profile Scores deteriorated slightly for both groups (p < 0.01). Knee flexion increased during early stance (p = 0.004) and ankle dorsiflexion increased during late stance (p = 0.034) in children with CP only. Negligible effects were found for kinetics. No demonstrable change in ECoW was found in either group (p = 0.195).
INTERPRETATION
Kinematic deviations in children with CP are progressive with prolonged walking. The large variation in adaptations indicates that an individual approach is recommended to investigate the effects of physical fatigue on gait in clinical practice.
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