Purpose: We examined the association of gross motor function and activities of daily living (ADL) with muscle mass of the trunk and lower extremity muscles in children and adults with cerebral palsy (CP).
Methods: The subjects were 32 children and adults with CP. Muscle thickness of the trunk and lower extremity muscles was measured using an ultrasound imaging device.
Results: Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the thoracic erector spinae muscle thickness was a significant and independent factor of gross motor function. Stepwise regression analysis also showed that the thickness of the rectus abdominis and vastus lateralis muscles were significant and independent factors of ADL.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that declined gross motor function is associated with decreased thoracic erector spinae muscle mass in children and adults with CP. The results also indicate that declined ADL is associated with decreased muscle mass of the rectus abdominis and vastus lateralis muscles.
Keywords: Cerebral palsy; activities of daily living; gross motor function; lower extremity muscles; muscle thickness; trunk muscles.