, , ,

Different Postures and Energy Expenditure in Children with Cerebral Palsy

different postures CP www.YourTherapySource.com

Research was published comparing the muscle activation and energy expenditure of different postures in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.   Energy-expenditure and muscle activity were measured during lying supine, sitting with support, sitting without support, and standing in 19 subjects with cerebral palsy (GMFCS- E&R Levels I-V).  Using indirect calorimetry and surface electromyography, the following results were recorded:

1.  mean energy expenditure was >1.5 METs (sedentary behavior is 1.5 METs or less) during standing for all GMFCS-E&R levels

2.  a nonsignificant trend for greater muscle activation was recorded for all postures with less support

3.  a standing posture resulted in significantly greater muscle activation compared to resting but only in the children classified at GMFCS-E&R level III.

The researchers concluded that across all GMFCS-E&R levels, children and adolescents with cerebral palsy had elevated energy expenditure during standing that exceeded the sedentary threshold of 1.5 METs. The researchers findings suggest that changing a child’s position to standing may help to increase light activity time and decrease long periods of sedentary behavior.

Reference:  Verschuren O, Peterson MD, Leferink S, Darrah J.  Muscle Activation and Energy-Requirements for Varying Postures in Children and Adolescents with
Cerebral Palsy. J Pediatr. 2014 Aug 20. pii: S0022-3476(14)00651-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2014.07.027. [Epub ahead of print]

[subscribe2]