Purpose: To compare the influence of functional level, ambulatory, and physical activity performance on self-reported health status and quality of life (QOL) of youth with cerebral palsy (CP) and with typical development.
Methods: A cross-sectional comparison cohort design was used in 81 youth with CP, ages 10 to 13 years and 30 youth with typical development. Participants wore the StepWatch monitor for 7 days and completed the Activity Scale for Kids, Child Health Questionnaire-Child Form, and Youth Quality of Life Questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis was used.
Results: Self-reported activity performance influenced self-reported physical (beta = 0.36), behavioral (beta = 0.32), and emotional (beta = 0.29) health. Functional level and performance did not influence QOL.
Conclusions: Measures of ambulatory and physical activity and youth-reported health status separated from the measure of QOL seem helpful in defining the specific health issues of ambulatory youth with CP and have implications for physical activity intervention.