TY - JOUR

T1 - Determinants of Frame Running Capacity in Athletes With Cerebral Palsy to Improve Training Routines and Classification Strategies

T2 - A Cross-sectional Observational Study

AU - Hjalmarsson, Emma

AU - Lidbeck, Cecilia

AU - Barrero Santiago, Laura

AU - Pingel, Jessica

AU - Norrbom, Jessica

AU - Sanz, Gema

AU - Palmcrantz, Alexandra

AU - Pontén, Eva

AU - von Walden, Ferdinand

AU - Fernandez-Gonzalo, Rodrigo

N1 - Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study were to (1) investigate what physical and physiological parameters are most important for Frame Running capacity, a parasport for individuals with ambulatory difficulties, and (2) determine whether Frame Running capacity can be predicted in athletes with cerebral palsy. DESIGN: Athletes with cerebral palsy ( N = 62, Gross Motor Classification System I-V; 2/26/11/21/2) completed a 6-min Frame Running test. Before the 6-min Frame Running test, muscle thickness, passive range of motion (hip, knee, ankle), selective motor control, and spasticity (hip, knee, ankle) were measured in both legs. In total, 54 variables per individual were included. Data were analyzed using correlations, principal component analysis, orthogonal partial least square regression, and variable importance in projection analysis. RESULTS: The mean 6-min Frame Running test distance was 789 ± 335 m and decreased with motor function severity. The orthogonal partial least square analysis revealed a modest degree of covariance in the variables analyzed and that the variance in the 6-min Frame Running test distance could be predicted with 75% accuracy based on all the variables measured. Variable importance in projection analysis indicated hip and knee extensor spasticity (negative effect), and muscle thickness (positive effect) arose as the most important factors contributing to Frame Running capacity. CONCLUSIONS: These results are an important resource to enable optimization of training regimes to improve Frame Running capacity and contribute to evidence-based and fair classification for this parasport.

AB - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study were to (1) investigate what physical and physiological parameters are most important for Frame Running capacity, a parasport for individuals with ambulatory difficulties, and (2) determine whether Frame Running capacity can be predicted in athletes with cerebral palsy. DESIGN: Athletes with cerebral palsy ( N = 62, Gross Motor Classification System I-V; 2/26/11/21/2) completed a 6-min Frame Running test. Before the 6-min Frame Running test, muscle thickness, passive range of motion (hip, knee, ankle), selective motor control, and spasticity (hip, knee, ankle) were measured in both legs. In total, 54 variables per individual were included. Data were analyzed using correlations, principal component analysis, orthogonal partial least square regression, and variable importance in projection analysis. RESULTS: The mean 6-min Frame Running test distance was 789 ± 335 m and decreased with motor function severity. The orthogonal partial least square analysis revealed a modest degree of covariance in the variables analyzed and that the variance in the 6-min Frame Running test distance could be predicted with 75% accuracy based on all the variables measured. Variable importance in projection analysis indicated hip and knee extensor spasticity (negative effect), and muscle thickness (positive effect) arose as the most important factors contributing to Frame Running capacity. CONCLUSIONS: These results are an important resource to enable optimization of training regimes to improve Frame Running capacity and contribute to evidence-based and fair classification for this parasport.

U2 - 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002233

DO - 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002233

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 36897812

AN - SCOPUS:85179840854

VL - 103

SP - 79

EP - 86

JO - American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

JF - American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

SN - 0894-9115

IS - 1

ER -