Medial gastrocnemius muscle growth is reduced in children with cerebral palsy (CP) around 12 months after birth. Triceps surae musculotendinous unit stiffness is increased in children with CP around 27 months after birth. Reflex excitability is rarely increased in children with CP. Reduced muscle growth may be involved in the pathophysiology of contractures.

Aim To test whether wearable textile electromyography (EMG) recording systems may detect differences in muscle activity levels during daily activities between children with cerebral palsy (CP) and age‐matched typically developing children. Method Wearable textile EMG recording systems were used to obtain leg muscle activity in 10 children with spastic CP (four females, six males; mean age 9y 6mo, standard deviation [SD] 2y 4mo, range: 6–13y; Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] level I and II) and 11 typically developing children (four females, seven males; mean age 9y 9mo, SD 1y 11mo, 7–12y) at rest and while performing seven daily activities. Results Children with CP showed significantly lower absolute EMG levels during maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) of muscles on the most affected side as compared to the least affected side and to typically developing children. None of the typically developing children or children with CP showed detectable EMG activity in resting situations. EMG activity relative to MVC was greater in children with CP during walking, jumping, and kicking on the most affected side as compared to the least affected side and to typically developing children. Interpretation Wearable textile EMG recording systems may be used to determine differences in muscle activity during daily activities in children with CP. Children with CP showed reduced muscle activity during daily activities compared to their peers, but used a significantly larger part of their maximal voluntary muscle strength to perform these activities. What this paper adds Wearable textile electromyography (EMG) systems are feasible for measurement of daily muscle activity in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Children with CP showed reduced EMG levels during maximal voluntary contractions. Neither typically developing children or children with CP showed EMG activity in resting situations. Children with CP used a larger part of their voluntary muscle strength during daily activities.

Objectives: To compare night-time muscle activity in children with cerebral palsy (CP) with that in typical developing peers. Methods: Polysomnography with electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiogram, electromyography (EMG), respiration, and electrooculography movements recorded during one night were used to characterize sleep stages in a group of children with CP (Gross Motor Function Classification Scale I–III) and a group of typically developing (TD) children (aged 3–13 years). Periods of EMG activity for the tibialis anterior and soleus (SOL) muscles were identified, and the coherence between EEG and EMG was measured to assess corticomuscular drive during sleep. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in total sleep time, average time spent awake, or rapid eye movement, N1, and N3 sleep. Children with CP spent significantly less time in N2 than their healthy peers (43% vs. 51%, p=0.03). There was only a significant difference between TD and CP in SOL muscle activity during the wake stage. Otherwise, there were no differences between groups in coherence in EEG and EMG signals for any sleep stage. Conclusion: Mildly affected children with CP do not show altered night sleep or muscle activity patterns as compared to TD peers. Abnormal muscle activity is unlikely to contribute to sleep disturbance, development of contractures, joint deformation, pain, or general discomfort in this group of children with CP.