Sedentary Behavior in Children With Cerebral Palsy Between 1.5 and 12 Years: A Longitudinal Study

Purpose: To determine longitudinal change in sedentary behavior in children with cerebral palsy (CP) from 1.5 to 12 years. Methods: Ninety-one children, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to III, who participated in a large longitudinal cohort study were participants. Longitudinal change was analyzed in objectively measured sedentary behavior and associations with sex, body mass index Z score, and socioeconomic status. Moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) was estimated at 8 to 12 years. Results: Average sedentary minutes/day peaked at 4 years in children at GMFCS I and 5 years in children at GMFCS II to III, then plateaued. Male sex was associated with increased sedentary behavior. At 8 to 12 years, children at GMFCS I, II, and III accumulated on average 54, 47, and 14 minutes/day, respectively, of MVPA. Conclusions: When measured to 12 years, sedentary behavior peaks by 5 years for children with CP who are walking with differences in trajectory according to GMFCS.