Plantarflexor muscle and spatiotemporal gait characteristics of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: An observational study

Jack Crosbie*, Adel A A Alhusaini, Catherine M. Dean, Roberta B. Shepherd

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: The study investigated associations between the active and passive mechanical properties of the calf muscle in children with cerebral palsy and the spatiotemporal features of their gait on both level ground and over stairs. Methods: 26 children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (age 4 10 years) walked barefoot across a level ten metre pathway and a staircase. Walking speed, stride length and cadence were calculated and spasticity, maximum isometric strength, stiffness and hysteresis of the affected side calf muscle measured. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the associations among variables. Results: Walking speed and stride length were significantly associated with dorsiflexor muscle strength and the stiffness of the calf muscle, while stair ascent and descent speeds were significantly and inversely related to the amount of hysteresis displayed by the calf muscle. Conclusion: Passive mechanical properties of the calf muscle are influential in gait performance in these children.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)114-118
Number of pages5
JournalDevelopmental Neurorehabilitation
Volume15
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cerebral palsy
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Spasticity
  • Walking
  • Weakness

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