The characteristics of sit-to-stand transfer in young children with spastic cerebral palsy based on kinematic and kinetic data

The aim of this study is to investigate the kinetic and kinematic characteristics of sit-to-stand transfer in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) in comparison with normal children. Fifteen spastic diplegic children, 12 spastic hemiplegic children and 21 normally developed children participated in this study. The sit-to-stand task was evaluated using a Motion analyzer (Vicon 370 MA with six infrared cameras). The consistent pattern of sit-to-stand transfer and six transitional points were identified in normal children. The motion analysis of sit-to-stand in children with CP showed slowness in the task, increased anterior pelvic tilting, and hip flexion during the task. An early abrupt knee extension was noted in diplegic children, as compared with normal controls. Decreased maximal knee extensor moment and decreased extensor power generation of the hip and knee joints were the major kinetic characteristics of the involved limbs of both diplegic and hemiplegic CP. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.