Reliability for running tests for measuring agility and anaerobic muscle power in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.

Full Abstract

PURPOSE: We investigated reliability, construct validity, and feasibility of two sprint tests for children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Twenty-six children with CP participated (7-18 years of age; Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] level I or II). On different occasions, the 10 x 5-Meter Sprint Test and the Muscle Power Sprint Test were scored by different assessors. RESULTS: Excellent interobserver reliability (intraclass correlation [ICC] = 1.0 and ICC >or= 0.97) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.97 and ICC >or= 0.97) were obtained. Scores differed significantly on both sprint tests for children classified at GMFCS level I and level II. Mean scores for feasibility ranged from 8.8 to 9.2 on a 10-cm visual analog scale (10 = the best). CONCLUSIONS: Both exercise tests are reliable and have good feasibility for children and adolescents with CP (GMFCS level I or II). Construct validity is supported for both sprint tests in children classified at GMFCS level I and level II.

Author information

Author/s: Verschuren, Olaf (O); Takken, Tim (T); Ketelaar, Marjolijn (M); Gorter, Jan Willem (JW); Helders, Paul J M (PJ);

Affiliation: Rehabilitation Centre De Hoogstraat, Utrecht, The Netherlands. o.verschuren(-atsign-)dehoogstraat.nl

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association (Pediatr Phys Ther), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-; vol 19 (issue 2) : pp 108-15

Dates: Created 2007/05/16; Completed 2007/08/13;

PMID: 17505287, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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