Note: [1] This study was conducted when Shikha Saxena was a student at Manipal College
of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
Abstract: PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to estimate the energy expenditure (EE)
during a quiet standing task in children with bilateral spastic CP (BSCP) in
comparison with typically developing (TD) children, using gas analyzer. METHODS: The study was an observational cross-sectional study of children
with BSCP (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] levels II and
III; n = 30; 10 males, 20 females; mean weight 27.46 kgs; mean age 10 years)
and TD children (n = 30; 16 males, 14 females; mean weight 25.35 kgs; mean
age 9 years, 9 months). The energy expenditure during quiet standing task
was measured by using Cosmed K4b2 gas analyzer and expressed in terms
of peak oxygen consumption (VO2 max, ml/kg body weight/min). RESULTS: Children with BSCP expended 1.4 times higher energy during
standing than TD children (p< 0.0001). CONCLUSION: We identified that standing puts an additional energy demand
in ambulant children with BSCP. Findings suggest that both dependant and
independent ambulating children with BSCP might need to exert more effort to
maintain a static standing position. Therefore, clinicians must evaluate
standing position for balance control and energy expenditure to evaluate the
efficiency of physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Keywords: Oxygen, consumption, gas analyzer, energy, cost, static, balance
