Comparison of Patterns of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Between Children With Cerebral Palsy and Children With Typical Development

Background: Reduced participation in physical activity and increased time spent in sedentary behavior are associated with overweight, chronic disease, and disability. In order to optimize recommendations and interventions to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior in children with cerebral palsy (CP), knowledge of their physical activity and sedentary behavior is needed.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior in preadolescent children with and without CP and compare physical activity and sedentary behavior between the 2 groups.

Design: This was a cross-sectional study of 33 children, aged 6 to 10 years, with CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] levels I-III) and 33 age- and sex-matched children with typical development.

Methods: Physical activity was measured using the RT3 accelerometer over 7 days.

Results: Children with CP spent more time in sedentary behavior and accumulated less total activity, moderate activity, vigorous activity, and sustained bouts of moderate-to-vigorous activity (MVPA). They also accumulated a fewer number of bouts of MVPA and vigorous activity, despite spending a similar amount of time in each bout.

Limitations: The small number of children in GMFCS levels II and III did not allow for adjustment for GMFCS level when comparing physical activity between children with and without CP.

Conclusions: Preadolescent children with CP spent less time in moderate and vigorous activity and more time in sedentary behavior than children with typical development. Children with CP also accumulated less continuous MVPA and vigorous activity as a result of achieving fewer sustained bouts of MVPA and vigorous activity throughout the day.