Relação entre a mobilidade e o nível de resistência a atividade física de crianças e adolescentes brasileiras com paralisia cerebral

Abstract

Introduction: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the leading cause of physical disability in childhood, affecting children’s quality of life. Participation in adapted physical activities is crucial to improving motor function and well-being. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between mobility and endurance in physical activity among children and adolescents with CP. Methods: This cross-sectional study was part of the “PartiCipa Brasil” Project. Participants were children and adolescents with CP born since 2007. The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Gross Motor Family Report (GM-FR), and Early Activity Scale for Endurance (EASE) were used to classify and assess motor function and endurance in physical activity, respectively. Correlation tests were performed between outcomes, and group difference tests were conducted comparing ambulant (GMFCS I–III) and non-ambulant (GMFCS IV–V) children. Results: A total of 134 children and adolescents participated, with a mean age of 6.6 years. Spearman’s correlation revealed a moderately positive association (r = 0.57; p < 0.001) between GM-FR and EASE, and a moderate negative correlation (r = -0.55; p < 0.001) between EASE and GMFCS. The t-test for groups showed significant differences (p < 0.001) in EASE scores between ambulant and non-ambulant children. Logistic regression showed that ambulant children had a higher likelihood of achieving high EASE scores (OR = 6.8; 95% CI: 3.1–14.7), as did those with higher GM-FR scores (OR = 7.7; 95% CI: 3.5–16.8). Boys were 2.4 times more likely to reach higher scores compared to girls (OR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.2–5). The simple linear regression showed that ambulatory status explained a large proportion of the variance in GM-FR scores (R² = 0.787; p < 0.001), with non-ambulant children scoring approximately 61 points lower in gross motor function. Conclusion: The results demonstrate a moderate association between mobility and endurance in children with CP, with differences between ambulant and non-ambulant children. This study may guide future interventions to increase exercise endurance and improve mobility in this population.