Physical activity is associated with walking and balance ability but not fatigue, knee extension strength, or body composition in adults with cerebral palsy: a pilot cross-sectional study

Abstract

Common secondary impairments associated with aging in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) decrease physical functions, including walking and balance ability, and increase the sense of fatigue. This motor dysfunction results in decreased physical activity (PA) and could be associated with obesity and sarcopenia. This study examined the association of daily PA levels with fatigue, physical function, and body composition in 22 adults with CP (age, 37.4 ± 14.7 years; Gross Motor Function Classification System level, I: 6, II: 16). The level of daily PA was divided into percent of sedentary behavior, light PA, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (%MVPA) per day. These outcomes were examined for correlation with the Fatigue Severity Scale, knee extension strength, comfortable and maximum walking speed, Timed-Up-and-Go-Test (TUG), and body fat percentage and skeletal muscle mass using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. An additional partial correlation analysis with sex and age adjustment was performed. The %MVPA correlated positively with comfortable walking speed (rs = 0.424, P = 0.049) and negatively with TUG (rs = -0.493, P = 0.020). The partial correlation revealed associations of %MVPA with maximum walking speed (r = 0.604, P = 0.022) and TUG (r = -0.604, P = 0.022). The results show that among adults with CP, increased PA is associated with improvements in mobility but not in perceived fatigue or body composition, regardless of sex and age. Maintaining and improving %MVPA and walking and balance ability in adults with CP have a positive impact on each other, and potentially on overall health management.