Abstract
PURPOSE
To assess the effect of partial body weight support on the oxygen cost of locomotion in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP).
METHODS
Five children and adolescents with spastic CP (12.4 ± 3.6 years, mean ±SD) volunteered for the study. All children were classified as 3 on the Gross Motor Function Classification System. Subjects performed three; 4-minute treadmill walks on three separate days at their pre-determined comfortable treadmill walking velocities. At each visit, a different partial body weight harness setting was used. The order of the three harness settings was randomized for each subject: 1) Harness on, not connected to the weight displacement support frame (HNC) 2) Harness on, connected to the weight displacement support frame and weight displaced (HC) and 3) Harness on, connected to the weight displacement support frame with weight displaced and lateral bungee cords attached (HRG). Sitting weight-standing weight when the child was supported by their normal assistive walking device was selected as the weight displaced by the partial body weight support system VO2 averaged over the last minute of each stage was used as the steady state value. Data were analyzed using a repeated measures, general linear model (α = 0.05).
RESULTS
Significant differences in VO2 (P = 0.03 and 0.05 respectively) were found between HNC: 16.9 ± 1.6 mL/kg/min and HC: 13.2 ± 1.0 mL/kg/min and HNC: 16.9 ± 1.6 mL/kg/min and HBG: 14.9 ± 4.8 mL/kg/min. No significant differences between harness settings were noted for VE, VE/VO2, heart rate or oxygen cost per stride.
CONCLUSION
Partial body weight support does appear to significantly reduce the oxygen cost of locomotion in children with spastic CP. The physiological bases for this reduction warrant further investigation.
To assess the effect of partial body weight support on the oxygen cost of locomotion in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP).
METHODS
Five children and adolescents with spastic CP (12.4 ± 3.6 years, mean ±SD) volunteered for the study. All children were classified as 3 on the Gross Motor Function Classification System. Subjects performed three; 4-minute treadmill walks on three separate days at their pre-determined comfortable treadmill walking velocities. At each visit, a different partial body weight harness setting was used. The order of the three harness settings was randomized for each subject: 1) Harness on, not connected to the weight displacement support frame (HNC) 2) Harness on, connected to the weight displacement support frame and weight displaced (HC) and 3) Harness on, connected to the weight displacement support frame with weight displaced and lateral bungee cords attached (HRG). Sitting weight-standing weight when the child was supported by their normal assistive walking device was selected as the weight displaced by the partial body weight support system VO2 averaged over the last minute of each stage was used as the steady state value. Data were analyzed using a repeated measures, general linear model (α = 0.05).
RESULTS
Significant differences in VO2 (P = 0.03 and 0.05 respectively) were found between HNC: 16.9 ± 1.6 mL/kg/min and HC: 13.2 ± 1.0 mL/kg/min and HNC: 16.9 ± 1.6 mL/kg/min and HBG: 14.9 ± 4.8 mL/kg/min. No significant differences between harness settings were noted for VE, VE/VO2, heart rate or oxygen cost per stride.
CONCLUSION
Partial body weight support does appear to significantly reduce the oxygen cost of locomotion in children with spastic CP. The physiological bases for this reduction warrant further investigation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | S46-S46 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Publication status | Published - May 2003 |
| Externally published | Yes |