The restoration of a fair range of true glenohumeral external rotation after neurotization of the SSN in infants with obstetric brachial plexus lesions, whether by grafting from C5 or by nerve transfer of the accessory nerve, is disappointingly low. However, it seems that compensatory techniques contribute to effectuate a considerable range of movement.

To assess components of health-related physical Wtness in adolescents and young adults with myelomeningocele (MMC), and to study relations between aerobic capacity and other health-related physical Wtness components. This cross-sectional study included 50 adolescents and young adults with MMC, aged 16-30 years (25 males). Aerobic capacity was quantiWed by measuring peak oxygen uptake (peakVO 2 ) during a maximal exercise test on a cycle or arm ergometer depending on the main mode of ambulation. Muscle strength of upper and lower extremity muscles was assessed using a hand-held dynamometer. Regarding Xexibility, we assessed mobility of hip, knee and ankle joints. Body composition was assessed by measuring thickness of four skin-folds. Relations were studied using linear regression analyses. Average peakVO 2 was 1.48 § 0.52 l/ min, 61% of the participants had subnormal muscle strength, 61% had mobility restrictions in at least one joint and average sum of four skin-folds was 74.8 § 38.8 mm. PeakVO 2 was signiWcantly related to gender, ambulatory status and muscle strength, explaining 55% of its variance. Adolescents and young adults with MMC have poor healthrelated physical Wtness. Gender and ambulatory status are important determinants of peakVO 2 . In addition, we found a small, but signiWcant relationship between peakVO 2 and muscle strength.

Level II-prospective comparative study.

No abstract

No abstract