Characteristics associated with physical activity capacity and performance in children and adolescents with an acquired brain injury

ABSTRACT

Aim: To examine characteristics associated with physical activity capacity and performance in children with acquired brain injury (ABI).

Methods: 58 children (32 men; age 11 years 11 months ± 2 years 6 months; Gross motor function classification system [GMFCS] equivalent I = 29, II = 29) >12 months post ABI were recruited. Physical activity capacity measures included: (i) combined score of three 30-second repetition maximum functional strength exercises; (ii) timed up and go; (iii) 6-minute walk test and (iv) high-level mobility assessment tool (HiMAT). Physical activity performance determined time spent in sedentary, light and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Full scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) was assessed using the Wechsler intelligence scale for Children-IV. Regression models were constructed with functional strength score (n = 56), activity counts/minutes and time spent in MVPA and sedentary (n = 37).

Results: The HiMAT and FSIQ explained 69% of the variance in functional strength. Age explained 12% of the variance in counts/min and 14% of the variance in time spent sedentary. GMFCS explained 10% of the variance in time spent in MVPA.

Conclusions: The ability to perform functional strength exercises is associated with mobility beyond independence and adequate intellectual ability for children with ABI. Age was the most significant factor associated with physical activity performance, and interventions should target adolescents with ABI.

KEYWORDS:

• Acquired brain injury
• physical activity
• sedentary
• children
• adolescents

Acknowledgments

All authors were responsible for the design, ethics applications, reporting and project management. RNB and Dr Lynne McKinlay (Children’s Health Queensland, Brisbane) were responsible for funding the research study. EB took on a lead role for data collection. EB, LB and RW were responsible for data analysis. All authors contributed to the writing of the manuscript. The authors would like to thank all the children and families who participated and the Queensland Paediatric Rehabilitation Service for their assistance with recruitment. The authors would also like to thank Naomi Westwood (Allied Health Assistant) and Melinda Lewis (Study co-ordinator) for their contributions to recruitment and overall management of the study.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

This study was financially supported by the Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts Co-investment Fund, Financial Markets Foundation for Children, Queensland Government (RNB); The Aldred Charitable Endowment, Margaret Augusta Farrell, Williams H P Trust Fund, Love J S, and The Jessica and Wallace Hore Foundation (FR2012/0796); Health Practitioner Research Scheme, Queensland Government; Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) (EB); National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Early Career Fellowship no. 1070623 (LB); NHMRC Early Career Fellowship no. 1090828 (LS); NHMRC Research Fellowship, no. 1105038 (RNB).