Influence of Age on Step Activity Patterns in Children With Cerebral Palsy and Typically Developing Children

Abstract Stevens SL, Holbrook EA, Fuller DK, Morgan DW. Influence of age on step activity patterns in children with cerebral palsy and typically developing children. Objective To document the influence of age on step activity patterns in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and typically developing (TD) children. Design Cross-sectional. Setting All step activity data were collected in free-living environments. Participants Children with CP (n=27; age, 4–18y; 22 boys, 5 girls; Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I and II) and 27 age- and sex-matched TD children were recruited through public advertisements and contacts with local clinicians. CP and TD participants were stratified into younger (40 steps/min). Main Outcome Measures Daily step activity, percentage of inactive time, and percentage of active time spent in low-, moderate-, and high-intensity step activity. Results A significant ( P