Energy expenditure during standing in children with cerebral palsy: A brief report

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to estimate the energy expenditure (EE) during a quiet standing task in children with bilateral spastic CP (BSCP) in comparison with typically developing (TD) children, using gas analyzer. METHODS: The study was an observational cross-sectional study of children with BSCP (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] levels II and III; n = 30; 10 males, 20 females; mean weight 27.46 kgs; mean age 10 years) and TD children (n = 30; 16 males, 14 females; mean weight 25.35 kgs; mean age 9 years, 9 months). The energy expenditure during quiet standing task was measured by using Cosmed K4b² gas analyzer and expressed in terms of peak oxygen consumption (VO₂ max, ml/kg body weight/min). RESULTS: Children with BSCP expended 1.4 times higher energy during standing than TD children (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: We identified that standing puts an additional energy demand in ambulant children with BSCP. Findings suggest that both dependant and independent ambulating children with BSCP might need to exert more effort to maintain a static standing position. Therefore, clinicians must evaluate standing position for balance control and energy expenditure to evaluate the efficiency of physical therapy and rehabilitation.