Prevalence and predictors for the ability to run in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: Running is a fundamental movement skill and a prerequisite for children to participate in numerous daily activities. The prevalence of the ability to run in people with Cerebral Palsy and the role of their impairments on running ability are unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of the ability to run and to identify contributing factors.

METHODS: In this study, 280 children and adolescents with spastic Cerebral Palsy, Gross Motor Function Classification System level II were included. The ability to run was defined by instrumented running analysis. Runners and non-runners were compared regarding their clinical measures of spasticity, weakness, and postural control. Logistic regression was applied to identify the most important predictors for the ability to run.

FINDINGS: The ability to run was significantly higher in unilateral (67%) than in bilateral (55%) affected patients. Significant differences between runners and non-runners were found for spasticity, BMI and postural control, but not for muscle strength. Lower M. rectus femoris spasticity, higher m gastrocnemius spasticity and enhanced postural control appear to be the best predictors for being able to run.

INTERPRETATION: Patients with Gross Motor Function Classification System level II represent a large group in the gait laboratory and the functional impairment within this group differs greatly. Therefore, for clinical decision making we suggest to separate patients in this group based on their running ability. Spasticity and postural control affect the ability to run and needs to be accounted for in intervention programs.