Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in children with spina bifida

Abstract

Aim To describe active and sedentary time in children with spina bifida and to compare their physical activity on weekdays versus weekends. Method In this exploratory cross‐sectional study, data from 13 Canadian and 22 Dutch children with spina bifida (14 females, 21 males; mean age 10y 11mo, standard deviation [SD] 3y 6mo, range 5y 6mo–18y; Hoffer classification distribution: community [n=28], household [n=3], non‐functional [n=3], and non‐ambulator [n=1]) were analysed. Objective measures of physical activity and sedentary behaviour were obtained by using ActiGraph or Actiheart activity monitors. Data for the participants wearing the ActiGraph were compared with age‐ and sex‐matched controls that were developing typically using independent‐samples t‐tests. Activity data collected on weekdays was compared to those on weekends. Results ActiGraph data demonstrated children with spina bifida spent more time sedentary (mean [SD] 49.5min/h [5.78]) and less time in moderate to vigorous physical activity (mean [SD] 2.33min/h [1.61]) compared with the typically developing group (mean [SD] 41.0min/h [5.76] and 5.46min/h [2.13], p=0.001 and p<0.001 respectively). For both ActiGraph‐ and Actiheart‐derived data, physical activity and sedentary time were not significantly different between weekdays and weekends. Interpretation Children with spina bifida have reduced levels of physical activity and increased sedentary behaviour, with no statistical differences seen between weekdays and weekends. Several methodological issues related to activity monitoring warrant consideration when choosing the appropriate method to quantify physical activity and sedentary behaviour. What this paper adds Reduced levels of physical activity and sedentary time were quantified in children with spina bifida. Objective quantification of physical behaviour in ambulatory and non‐ambulatory school‐aged children with spina bifida is possible.

The effects of wheelchair mobility skills and exercise training on physical activity, fitness, skills and confidence in youth using a manual wheelchair

“…However, the aim of this intervention is to increase the active propulsion of the everyday wheelchair and the Activ8 is a valid device for detecting this component of PA [27]. Only data of participants with a minimal wear time of eight hours/day on at least two school-days and one weekend-day were analysed [6]. The main outcome for PA is the amount of "active wheelchair use" expressed as a percentage of wear time per day.…”

“…It has been shown that low levels of physical activity (PA) are more prevalent among youth (children and adolescents) with a physical disability compared to their typically developing peers [3,4]. Youth using a manual wheelchair are markedly less physically active than their ambulatory peers with or without a physical disability [5][6][7][8]. Bloemen et al [5] found that youth using a manual wheelchair with spina bifida were 2.5 times less physically active than typically developing peers.…”

Management of Pediatric Patients with Spina Bifida

“…They often suffer from abdominal obesity, insulin resistance or dyslipidemia with its metabolic and vascular complications [51]. People with physical disabilities spend less time performing physical activities compared to their nondisabled peers [52]. Consequences of a sedentary lifestyle include physical deconditioning [53].…”

“…There is a potential for physical therapeutist to cooperate with local sport clubs and fitness centres to develop activity programs and supervise them [51]. Physical activities offer possibility to prevent other problems, such as obesity, metabolic problems or depression [52].…”

Physical Activity and Psychophysical Well-Being of Children With Disabilities and Their Families – A Systematic Review

“…A study's participants being aged above 20 years was an exclusion criterion. The authors state that it is worth doing research on a population of a similar age without a lot of discrepancies (Bloemen et al, 2017;Kalleson et al, 2019;Lauruschkus et al, 2015;Romero, 2019;Claridge et al, 2019;Howells et al 2019;Cook et al, 2015;Spencer-Cavaliere & Watkinson, 2010). A child physical and mental development is very intensive and really diverse when we take various developmental stages into consideration.…”