Article

Lower levels of physical activity in children with developmental
delay (DD) usually are attributed to higher energy costs. However, there is no
evidence that children with DD spend more energy on daily physical activities,
such as walking. The aim of this study was to compare energy costs
during walking and movement initiation times in children with DD and children
with typical development (TD) and matched for age. DESIGN: This was a
case-control study. METHODS: Children who were 3 and 5 years old and had DD
(n=12) or TD (n=12) participated in the study. Measurements included ranges of
motion in the lower extremities, physiological costs of walking, and movement
initiation times. A task designed to evaluate the initiation of movement (the "go
play with the toy" task) was used to examine the reaction times for children's
goal-directed walking. RESULTS: The physiological costs of walking were similar
in the 2 groups; however, children with DD walked at a lower speed than children
with TD. Importantly, children with DD took more time to initiate goal-directed
walking. LIMITATIONS: The nature of the study design limited causal inference
from the results. CONCLUSIONS: Children who were 3 to 5 years old and had DD had
delays in goal-directed movement that may not have been attributable to motor
impairments. The findings suggest that therapists should evaluate the movement
initiation ability of 3- to 5-year-old children with DD as part of the design of
an overall intervention plan.
CI - (c) 2014 American Physical Therapy Association.

Langue : ANGLAIS