Research article summary (published Apr 2007):

Biomechanics of submaximal recumbent cycling in adolescents with and without cerebral palsy.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanics of recumbent cycling between adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) classified at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III and IV and adolescents with typical development (TD). SUBJECTS: Twenty subjects, ages (X+/-SD) 15.2+/-1.6 years (10 with TD, 10 with CP), participated. METHODS: Lower-extremity kinematics and muscle activity were measured at 30 and 60 rpm while subjects pedaled on a recumbent cycle. Energy expenditure and perceived exertion were measured during a 5-minute test, and efficiency was calculated. Noncircular data were analyzed with analyses of variance. Circular data were analyzed using circular t tests. RESULTS: Differences were found between groups for joint kinematics for all motions. Subjects with CP displayed earlier onsets and later offsets of muscle activity, increased co-contraction of agonist and antagonist muscles, and decreased efficiency compared with subjects with TD. There were no differences in perceived exertion. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Differences in cycling biomechanics between children with CP and children with TD may be due to decreased strength and motor control in the children with CP.

Author information

Author/s: Johnston, Therese E (TE); Barr, Ann E (AE); Lee, Samuel Ck (SC);

Affiliation: Shriners Hospitals for Children, 3551 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA. tjohnston(-atsign-)shrinenet.org

Grants: HD043859 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Physical therapy (Phys Ther), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-May; vol 87 (issue 5) : pp 572-85

Dates: Created 2007/05/02; Completed 2007/06/05; Revised 2007/12/03;

PMID: 17405804, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent Bicycling - physiology Biomechanics Cerebral Palsy - physiopathology Electromyography Energy Metabolism - physiology

Exercise Test Humans Joints - physiology Lower Extremity - physiology Muscle Contraction - physiology Muscle, Skeletal - physiology

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