A comparison of the physiology of sedentary behavior and light physical activity in adults with and without a physical disability

Astrid C.J. Balemans, Han Houdijk, Gilbert R. Koelewijn, Marjolein Piek, Frank Tubbing, Anne Visser-Meily, Olaf Verschuren*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: It is questionable whether postures that are regarded as sedentary behavior in able-bodied persons evoke comparable physiological responses in adults with stroke or cerebral palsy (CP). This study aimed to compare metabolic demand and muscle activity in healthy controls, adults with stroke, and adults with CP during sedentary behavior and light physical activities. Methods: Seventy-one adults (45.6 [18.9] y, range 18–86) participated in this study, of which there were 18 controls, 31 with stroke, and 22 with CP. The metabolic equivalent of task (MET) and level of muscle activation were assessed for different sedentary positions (sitting supported and unsupported) and light physical activities (standing and walking). Results: During sitting supported and unsupported, people with mild to moderate stroke and CP show comparable MET and electromyographic values as controls. While sitting unsupported, people with severe stroke show higher METs and electromyographic values (P < .001), and people with severe CP only show higher METs compared with controls (P < .05) but all below 1.5 METs. Standing increased electromyographic values in people with severe stroke or CP (P < .001) and reached values above 1.5 METs. Conclusions: Physiologic responses during sedentary behavior are comparable for controls and adults with mild to moderate stroke and CP, whereas higher metabolic demands and muscle activity (stroke only) were observed in severely affected individuals.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)894-901
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Physical Activity and Health
Volume16
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Funding

The authors would like to thank all participants. This study was supported with a grant from the “Phelps foundation for spastics.” The results of the study are presented clearly, honestly, and without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data manipulation. The authors certify that this work did not receive funding from any of the following organizations: National Institutes of Health, Wellcome Trust, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), and other(s). The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Keywords

  • Cerebral palsy
  • Clinical exercise physiology
  • METs
  • Mobility limitation
  • Physiologic responses
  • Stroke

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