A Systematic Review of the Clinimetric Properties of Habitual Physical Activity Measures in Young Children with a Motor Disability

Abstract

Aim. To identify and systematically review the clinimetric properties of habitual physical activity (HPA) measures in young children with a motor disability. Method. Five databases were searched for measures of HPA including: children aged <6.0 years with a neuromuscular disorder, physical activity defined as “bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles causing caloric expenditure”, reported HPA as duration, frequency, intensity, mode or energy expenditure, and evaluated clinimetric properties. The quality of papers was assessed using the COSMIN-checklist. A targeted search of identified measures found additional studies of typically developing young children (TDC). Results. Seven papers assessing four activity monitors met inclusion criteria. Four studies were of good methodological quality. The Minimod had good ability to measure continuous walking but the demonstrated poor ability to measure steps during free-living activities. The Intelligent Device for Energy Expenditure and Activity and Ambulatory Monitoring Pod showed poor ability to measure activity during both continuous walking and free-living activities. The StepWatch showed good ability to measure steps during continuous walking in TDC. Interpretation. Studies assessing the clinimetric properties of measures of HPA in this population are urgently needed to allow assessment of the relationship between HPA and health outcomes in this group.

Measuring Habitual Physical Activity in Neuromuscular Disorders: A Systematic Review

“…Validation studies were most reported in Cerebral Palsy (CP) for paediatrics and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for adults and only McDonald et al’s StepWatch validation study in DMD [37] was identified as an NMD-population paper; reported by Oftedal et al [35]. …”

Daily stride rate activity and heart rate response in children with cerebral palsy

“…At stride rate > 60 strides/min hrr was still lower than 55%, whereas < 60% hrr is still considered moderate exercise intensity according to aCSM guidelines (17). an explanation for the relatively low HRR at the highest detected stride rates could be that, as the Stepwatch was calibrated for walking it measured running less accurately, as was noticed during calibration, and this conclusion supported by the low number of children in all groups achieving this stride rate (30). Furthermore, while the Stepwatch averages over 1 min intervals, short bursts of running might be shorter.…”

PREDICT-CP: study protocol of implementation of comprehensive surveillance to predict outcomes for school-aged children with cerebral palsy

“…9 25 In addition, poor nutrition and growth may have a secondary impact on body composition, bone health and brain maturation, as well as participation and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in later childhood. In our overlapping CP-child study of growth, nutrition and physical activity (NHMRC 569605), 26 we have determined at preschool-age the i) energy requirements, body composition, dietary intake, 27–29 ii) validation of HPA cut-points, 30 iii) validation of a modified 3-day weighed food record for the assessment of energy intake 29 and iv) OPD across the spectrum of functional severity. 31 32 …”