Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in children with spina bifida

Aim To describe active and sedentary time in children with spina bifida and to compare their physical activity on weekdays versus weekends. Method In this exploratory cross‐sectional study, data from 13 Canadian and 22 Dutch children with spina bifida (14 females, 21 males; mean age 10y 11mo, standard deviation [SD] 3y 6mo, range 5y 6mo–18y; Hoffer classification distribution: community [n=28], household [n=3], non‐functional [n=3], and non‐ambulator [n=1]) were analysed. Objective measures of physical activity and sedentary behaviour were obtained by using ActiGraph or Actiheart activity monitors. Data for the participants wearing the ActiGraph were compared with age‐ and sex‐matched controls that were developing typically using independent‐samples t‐tests. Activity data collected on weekdays was compared to those on weekends. Results ActiGraph data demonstrated children with spina bifida spent more time sedentary (mean [SD] 49.5min/h [5.78]) and less time in moderate to vigorous physical activity (mean [SD] 2.33min/h [1.61]) compared with the typically developing group (mean [SD] 41.0min/h [5.76] and 5.46min/h [2.13], p=0.001 and p