Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-3-2025
Publication Title
Gait and Posture
Abstract
Background: Cessation of walking is a consequence of aging in many individuals with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Muscle strength and power are associated with walking capacity in those with CP. However, the age-related trajectories in strength and power and how they compare to trajectories of those with typical development (TD) are unknown. Additionally, determining which measure of muscle performance (strength or power) is more closely associated with walk capacity may guide clinical assessments of muscle performance that are most meaningful to mobility in those with CP. Research question: Do the associations between age and muscle performance differ between individuals with CP and TD? Is muscle power more strongly associated with walking capacity compared to muscle strength in those with CP? Methods: Age-related differences in muscle strength and power between individuals with CP (n = 66, 13.5 ± 4.8 years, GMFCS I–IV) and TD (n = 42, 16.8 ± 6.1 years) were examined with linear regression and ANCOVA. Associations between measures of walking capacity and strength and power were evaluated with Pearson's (r). Results: Linear regression between muscle strength and power with age was statistically significant in both groups. Age-related changes in strength and power were significantly greater in TD compared to CP. Linear regression between normalized strength and power with age was significant in those with TD but not in CP. All measures of walking capacity were significantly associated with both strength and power, but muscle power was more strongly correlated (p < 0.05). Significance: Although age-related changes were observed in both groups, individuals with TD demonstrated greater age-related changes in muscle power and strength than those with CP. After normalizing by body mass, no age-related changes were observed in CP, suggesting that gains in power and strength are insufficient to offset increases in body mass with age. Muscle power had a stronger relationship to walking capacity than strength.
First Page
66
Last Page
71
PubMed ID
40188701
Volume
120
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Pontiff, Mattie E. and Moreau, Noelle G., "Age-related trajectories of muscle strength and power in individuals with cerebral palsy and the relationship to walking capacity" (2025). School of Allied Health Professions Faculty Publications. 61.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/soah_facpubs/61
10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.028