To determine site-specific BC according to GMF function in CP, guiding physiotherapy interventions based on BC.
The participants included 42 individuals with CP (29 men and 13 women, age 10–67 years), classified into three Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) subgroups: levels I/II (n=5, 19±3.7 years), III/IV (n=13, 30±13.7 years), and V (n=24, 33±9.6 years). BC was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis, analyzing height, weight, body mass index, site-specific MM, extracellular water-to-total body water ratio (ECW/TBW), and phase angle (PhA). The site-specific categories included: overall (ALL), right arm (RA), left arm (LA), trunk (TR), right leg (RL), and left leg (LL). Statistical analyses were performed to compare the three groups based on the GMFCS using Kruskal–Wallis and post hoc tests. site-specific BC was also compared using Friedman and post hoc tests.
No sex-specific differences were observed in BC across the groups. In intergroup comparisons, individuals in GMFCS level I/II were younger and had lower ECW/TBW (ALL, TR, RL, LL) but higher weight, MM (ALL, RA, LA, TR, RL, LL), and PhA (ALL, LA, TR, RL, LL) than those in level V. Individuals in level III/IV exhibited lower ECW/TBW (ALL, TR, RL, LL) and higher MM (ALL, LA, RL, LL) than those in level V. Within-group comparisons showed that MM in the TR was higher than that in both arms for level I/II. In individuals in level III/IV, ECW/TBW in both arms was lower than that in the TR, RL, and LL, whereas MM in the TR, RL, and LL was higher than that in the RA. In individuals in level V, ECW/TBW in both arms was lower than that in the TR, whereas ECW/TBW in the RL, and LL and MM in the TR, RL, and LL was higher than that in both arms (all p 0.05).
Individuals with CP and GMF exhibited higher overall MM and better NS. Within each group, lower MM values and higher ECW/TBW values were observed in the trunk and both legs than in both arms as motor function declined. A decreased gross motor function reduced MM in the TR and legs, which is essential for maintaining anti-gravity postures. This decline in voluntary movement may lead to edema and ECW/TBW imbalance.
This study is useful for setting appropriate exercise load based on BC and monitoring treatment effects for individuals with CP.
Gross Motor Functional Classification System
site-specific body composition
