Technology-assisted quantification of movement to predict infants at high risk of motor disability: A systematic review.

Aim: To systematically review the scientific literature to determine the predictive validity of technology-assisted measures of observable infant movement in infants less than six months of corrected age (CA) to identify high-risk of motor disability.

Method: A comprehensive search for randomised and non-randomised controlled trials, cohort studies and cross-comparison trials was performed on five electronic databases up to Feb 2021. Studies were included if they quantified infant movement before 6 months CA using some method of technology-assistance and compared the instrumented measure to a diagnostic clinical measure of neurodevelopment.

Plantar flexor voluntary activation capacity, strength and function in cerebral palsy.

Purpose: Distal lower limb motor impairment impacts gait mechanics in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP), however, the contribution of impairments of muscle activation to reduced gross motor function (GMF) is not clear. This study aimed to investigate deficits in plantar flexion voluntary activation capacity in CP compared to typically developed (TD) peers, and evaluate relationships between voluntary activation capacity, strength and GMF.

Methods: Fifteen ambulant individuals with spastic CP (23 ± 6 years, GMFCS I-III) and 14 TD (22 ± 2 years) people participated.

Impact of Lower Limb Active Movement Training in Individuals With Spastic Type Cerebral Palsy on Neuromuscular Control Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a non-progressive neurological condition that results in motor impairment which increases proximally to distally along the lower extremity (i.e., greatest impairment at the ankle).

Development of a Wearable Sensor Network for Quantification of Infant General Movements for the Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy.

Qualitative assessments of infant spontaneous movements can be performed to measure neurodevelopmental status and provide early insight into the presence of any abnormalities. Clinical assessments of infant movements at 12 weeks post term age are up to 98% predictive of the eventual development of Cerebral Palsy, but their reach is often limited to infants already identified as high-risk within the traditional healthcare system. We present the development of a network of wearable sensors designed to noninvasively measure spontaneous movements in infants from 12-20 weeks post-term- age both within the clinic and for future home use.

The effect of combined functional anaerobic and strength training on treadmill gait kinematics and kinetics in ambulatory young adults with cerebral palsy.

Background: Leg muscle weakness is a major impairment for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) and is related to reduced functional capacity. Evidence is limited regarding the translation of strength improvements following conventional resistance training to improved gait outcomes.

Research Question: Does a combined functional anaerobic and lower limb strength training intervention improve gait kinematics and kinetics in individuals with CP aged 15-30 years? 17 young adults (21 ± 4 years, 9 males, GMFCS I = 11, II = 6) were randomized to 12 weeks, 3 sessions per week, of high intensity functional anaerobic and progressive resistance training of the lower limbs (n = 8), or a waitlist control group (n = 9).

Functional Anaerobic and Strength Training in Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a 12-wk combined functional anaerobic and strength training program on neuromuscular properties and functional capacity in young adults with spastic-type cerebral palsy.

Methods: A total of 17 young adults (21 ± 4 yr, 9 males, Gross Motor Function Classification System I = 11 and II = 6) were randomized to 12 wk, 3 sessions per week, of high-intensity functional anaerobic and progressive resistance training of the lower limbs (n = 8), or a waitlist control group (n = 9). Pre- and posttraining plantarflexor and tibialis anterior muscle volumes and composition, passive and active plantarflexor muscle properties, and functional capacity outcomes were assessed.

Functional Capacity in Adults With Cerebral Palsy: Lower Limb Muscle Strength Matters.

Objective: To investigate the relation between lower limb muscle strength, passive muscle properties, and functional capacity outcomes in adults with cerebral palsy (CP).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Tertiary institution biomechanics laboratory.

Simulating the effect of muscle weakness and contracture on neuromuscular control of normal gait in children.

Altered neural control of movement and musculoskeletal deficiencies are common in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP), with muscle weakness and contracture commonly experienced. Both neural and musculoskeletal deficiencies are likely to contribute to abnormal gait, such as equinus gait (toe-walking), in children with SCP. However, it is not known whether the musculoskeletal deficiencies prevent normal gait or if neural control could be altered to achieve normal gait.

Longitudinal assessment of gait quality in children with bilateral cerebral palsy following repeated lower limb intramuscular Botulinum toxin-A injections.

Background: Serial lower limb intramuscular Botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) injections are administered to children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (BCP) to reduce spasticity, improve walking and functional mobility, and delay the need for orthopaedic surgery. Gait quality is clinically assessed following BoNT-A with 2D video gait assessments (2DVGA) using the Edinburgh Visual Gait Score (EVGS).

Aim: To determine the effect of three consecutive treatment cycles of lower limb intramuscular BoNT-A injections on gait quality using the EVGS in children with BCP by retrospectively reviewing repeated 2DVGA measures.

The impact of strength training on skeletal muscle morphology and architecture in children and adolescents with spastic cerebral palsy: A systematic review.

Aim: The aim of this study was to systematically review the current literature to determine the impact of strength training on skeletal muscle morphology and architecture in individuals aged 4-20 years with spastic type cerebral palsy.

Methods: A comprehensive search for randomised and non-randomised controlled trials, cohort studies and cross-comparison trials was performed on five electronic databases. Included studies were graded according to level of evidence and assessed for methodological quality using the Downs and Black scale.

Medial gastrocnemius muscle volume in ambulant children with unilateral and bilateral cerebral palsy aged 2 to 9 years.

Aim: Calf muscle growth in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) and bilateral cerebral palsy (BCP) is unknown. This cross-sectional study examines the medial gastrocnemius growth rates of ambulatory children with UCP and BCP compared with children with typical development (CTD), aged 2 to 9 years.

Method: Fifty children with UCP (mean age 66mo [SD 18], 29 males, Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] I=32, II=18), 50 children with BCP (age 64mo [SD 19], 31 males, GMFCS I=21, II=29), and 78 CTD (age 64mo [SD 16], 40 males) participated in the study.

FAST CP: protocol of a randomised controlled trial of the efficacy of a 12-week combined Functional Anaerobic and Strength Training programme on muscle properties and mechanical gait deficiencies in adolescents and young adults with spastic-type cerebral palsy.

Introduction: Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) have muscles that are smaller, weaker and more resistant to stretch compared to typically developing people. Progressive resistance training leads to increases in muscle size and strength. In CP, the benefits of resistance training alone may not transfer to improve other activities such as walking; however, the transfer of strength improvements to improved mobility may be enhanced by performing training that involves specific functional tasks or motor skills.

Neuromechanical properties of the triceps surae in young and older adults.

The aim of this study was to compare voluntary and involuntary force generating capacity of the triceps surae muscles in healthy young and older adult participants during isometric and isokinetic contractions. Ultrasound was used to measure medial gastrocnemius (MG) fascicle length during maximal voluntary isometric contractions and supra-maximal isometric twitch contractions at five ankle angles throughout the available range of motion, as well as isokinetic concentric and eccentric contractions at four ankle velocities. Maximum voluntary activation of the plantar flexors was assessed using the twitch interpolation technique.