The accumulation of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in children with cerebral palsy and their typically developing peers aged 6–12 years

Abstract

BackgroundPhysical activity and sedentary behaviour are usually described using daily volume indicators. However, for young children (6–12 years) and specifically those with conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, exploration of how physical behaviours are accumulated may provide valuable insight for behaviour change intervention planning. Research questionHow are physical activity and sedentary behaviour accumulated by 6–12 year old children with Cerebral Palsy and is this different from their typically developing peers? MethodsA cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of ambulatory children with CP (CP) and typically developing (TD) children, 6–12 years, was recruited. Children wore a thigh worn activity monitor (activPAL4) during typical daily activities. Overall volume of daily sedentary, upright and stepping time was characterised as well as how this was accumulated in bouts of activity. ResultsThere were no differences (p<0.05) in either volume or accumulation measures of physical behaviours between TD (n=14, 8.2±1.8 years) and children with CP (n=15, 8.6±1.4 years). However, there was wide variation in activity accumulation patterns between individuals. The mean proportion of daily time in each physical behaviour, accumulated in bouts above set times was: Upright time: bouts >5 mins 46 % TD & CP, bouts >20 mins 9 % TD & CP; Stepping time: bouts >0.5 mins 50 % TD, 45 % CP, bouts >2 mins 10 % TD, 9 % CP; Sedentary time: bouts >5 mins 77 % TD, 76 % CP, bouts >30 mins 26 % TD, 29 % CP. SignificanceYoung children with CP aged 6–12 years do not appear to have different physical behaviours to their TD peers. However, for individuals, descriptors of accumulation of physical activity and sedentary behaviour bouts provides additional information over and above volume measures, giving insight into behaviour which may be used to inform intervention planning.