Physical activity (PA) and its promotion, as well as the avoidance of sedentary behaviour play important roles in health promotion and prevention of lifestyle-related diseases. Guidelines for typically developing youth and adults published by the World Health Organization and American College of Sports Medicine are available. However, detailed recommendations for PA and sedentary behaviour have not been established for children, adolescents and adults with cerebral palsy (CP). This paper presents the first CP-specific PA and exercise recommendations. The recommendations are based on (1) a comprehensive review and analysis of the literature, (2) expert opinion and (3) extensive clinical experience. The evidence supporting these recommendations are based on randomized controlled trials and observational studies involving children, adolescents and adults with CP, and buttressed by the previous guidelines for the general population. These recommendations may be used to guide healthcare providers on exercise and daily PA prescription for individuals with CP.

ObjectiveTo provide a comprehensive, evidence-based overview of the risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, imaging, treatment and prognosis for Achilles tendinopathy. To make clinical recommendations for healthcare practitioners and patients.DesignComprehensive multidisciplinary guideline process funded by the Quality Foundation of the Dutch Federation of Medical Specialists. This process included a development, commentary and authorisation phase. Patients participated in every phase.Data sourcesMultiple databases and existing guidelines were searched up to May 2019. Information from patients, healthcare providers and other stakeholders were obtained using a digital questionnaire, focus group interview and invitational conference.Study eligibility criteriaStudies on both insertional and/or midportion Achilles tendinopathy were eligible. Specific eligibility criteria were described per module.Data extraction and synthesisTo appraise the certainty of evidence, reviewers extracted data, assessed risk of bias and used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation method, where applicable. Important considerations were: patient values and preferences, costs, acceptability of other stakeholders and feasibility of implementation. Recommendations were made based on the results of the evidence from the literature and the considerations.Primary outcome measureThe primary and secondary outcome measures were defined per module and defined based on the input of patients obtained in collaboration with the Netherlands Patient Federation and healthcare providers from different professions.ResultsSix specific modules were completed: risk factors and primary prevention, diagnosis, imaging, treatment prognosis and secondary prevention for Achilles tendinopathy.Summary/conclusionOur Dutch multidisciplinary guideline on Achilles tendinopathy provides six modules developed according to the standards of the Dutch Federation of Medical Specialists. Evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice are given for risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, imaging, treatment and prognosis. This guideline can assist healthcare providers and patients in clinical practice.

NTR2099.

Children with CP have decreased aerobic and anaerobic exercise responses, but decreases in respiratory and aerobic exercise responses were not as severe as predicted by motor impairment. Future research should reveal the role of inactivity on the exercise responses of children with CP and possibilities for improvement through training interventions.

Aim  To assess ambulatory activity of children with cerebral palsy (CP), aged 7 to 13 years, and identify associated characteristics. Method  Sixty‐two children with spastic CP (39 males, 23 females; mean age 10y 1mo, SD 1y 8mo; age range 7–13y), classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to III, participated. Ambulatory activity was measured during 1 week with a StepWatch activity monitor as steps per day, and time spent at medium and high step rates. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed following a backward selection procedure until only independent variables with p<0.05 remained in the model. Ambulatory activity outcome parameters served as dependent variables, and disease, personal, and environmental characteristics as independent variables. Ambulatory activity was corrected for body height. Results  Children took more steps during school days (5169 steps, SD 1641) than during weekend days (4158 steps, SD 2048; p<0.001). Higher GMFCS level, bilateral CP, and higher age were associated with lower ambulatory activity on school days (R2 ranged from 43–53%), whereas bilateral CP, higher age, and no sport club participation were associated with lower ambulatory activity in the weekend (R2 ranged from 21–42%). Correcting for body height decreased the association with age. Interpretation  Interventions should focus at increasing physical activity at the weekend for children with bilateral spastic CP.

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop an activity energy expenditure (AEE) prediction equation for the Actiheart activity monitor for use in children with chronic disease. Subjects/Methods: In total, 63 children, aged 8-18 years with different types of chronic disease (juvenile arthritis, hemophilia, dermatomyositis, neuromuscular disease, cystic fibrosis or congenital heart disease) participated in an activity testing session, which consisted of a resting protocol, working on the computer, sweeping, hallway walking, steps and treadmill walking at three different speeds. During all activities, actual AEE was measured with indirect calorimetry and the participants wore an Actiheart on the chest. Resting EE and resting heart rate were measured during the resting protocol and heart rate above sleep (HRaS) was calculated. Results: Mixed linear modeling produced the following prediction equation:Estimated AEE ðJ=kg= minÞ ¼ À93:7 þ ð4:8ÂHRaSÞþð0:04ÂAccelerometer CountsÞþð39:8ÂGender ðgirls ¼ 0; boys ¼ 1ÞÞ:This equation results in a nonsignificant mean difference of 2.1 J/kg/min (limits of agreement: À144.2 to 148.4 J/kg/min) for the prediction of AEE from the Actiheart compared with actual AEE. Conclusions: The Actiheart is valid for the use of AEE determination when using the new prediction equation for groups of children with chronic disease. However, the prediction error limits the use of the equation in individual subjects.

Sedentary time was higher in the CP group and was characterized by less frequent breaks compared with the TD group. Future research should examine the extent to which sedentary time is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic risk in youth with CP.

In children with CP of GMFCS levels I and II, a progressive maximal cycle ergometer test to assess Vo2peak is reliable and has the potential to detect change in cardiorespiratory fitness over time. Further study is needed to establish the reliability of Vo2peak in children of GMFCS level III.