Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare: (i) muscle strength, sprint power and maximal aerobic
capacity; and (ii) the correlations between these variables in adults with and
without cerebral palsy. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: Twenty adults
with and 24 without cerebral palsy. METHODS: Isometric and isokinetic knee
extension strength, sprint power (mean power over the 30s (P30)), peak aerobic
power output (PO(peak)) and oxygen uptake (VO(2peak)) were determined. Regression
analysis was used to investigate correlations between parameters. RESULTS: Adults
with cerebral palsy had significantly lower strength (53-69%) and P30 (67%) than
adults without cerebral palsy, but similar PO(peak) and VO(2peak). In adults
without cerebral palsy the only significant correlations, albeit weak, were
between P30 and isometric (R2 = 0.34) or isokinetic strength (R2 = 0.20), as well
as the correlation between P30 and VO(peak) (R2 = 0.26) or PO(peak) (R2 = 0.36).
Stronger correlations were found in the group with cerebral palsy between P30 and
isometric (R2 = 0.52) and isokinetic strength (R2 = 0.71) and between P30 and
VO(peak) (R2 = 0.75) or PO(peak) (R2 = 0.94). CONCLUSION: In contrast to aerobic
capacity, strength and P30 are reduced in (active) people with cerebral palsy.
Stronger correlations were found between strength, P30 and PO(peak) in adults
with cerebral palsy. Therefore, muscle strength may be the limiting factor in
adults with cerebral palsy for activities involving the lower extremities, such
as cycling.

Langue : ANGLAIS