Quantification of Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in Adults with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Our findings support the use of accelerometers to objectively measure HPA and sedentary behavior in adults with CP across the severity spectrum, regardless of cut-point implementation. The PARA-SCI is a valid tool to capture subjectively reported patterns of MVPA in adults with CP who are GMFCS levels II-V.

Exercise and physical activity recommendations for people with cerebral palsy

“…The increasing number of published studies using objective measurement methods for assessing physical activity in people with CP makes it timely to scrutinise the results from these studies. When combining the findings from recent studies that have looked objectively at the physical activity levels of children, adolescents, and adults with CP, we found that children and adults with CP spend 76% to 99% of their waking hours being sedentary, fewer than 18% engaged in light physical activities, and 2% to 7% in moderate to vigorous activities (only present in GMFCS Levels I‐III) (see Fig. ).…”

Fatigue and its relationship with physical activity, age, and body composition in adults with cerebral palsy

“…Participant classifications and characteristics are presented in Table . All participants achieved a minimum accelerometer wear time of at least 5 hours on four consecutive days …”

“…Physical activity and sedentary time were measured for seven consecutive days using an ActiGraph GT3X accelerometer (ActiGraph, Pensacola, FL, USA) as previously described in adults with CP . The ActiGraph hip‐worn accelerometer has been shown to be a feasible and relatively unobtrusive measurement device in ambulatory and non‐ambulatory adults with CP . Accelerometer data were only included in the analysis if a minimum wear time of 5 hours on four consecutive days was achieved .…”

Cardiovascular disease and related risk factors in adults with cerebral palsy: a systematic review

“…Recently researchers have started to focus on the impact of CP and its secondary disturbances later in life, which is of particular interest given the longer lifespan apparent in most persons with CP . Given the fact that CP is a motor disorder, we and others have shown that individuals with CP as young as preschool‐age demonstrate elevated sedentary behaviour and reduced physical activity that increases throughout adolescence and adulthood, with this trend being particularly prevalent in those who are non‐ambulatory . It is conceivable that the presence of such a condition affecting neurological control of both voluntary and involuntary movements may have implications for the health of the cardiovascular system …”