activpal_cp

<b>Background</b>Children with cerebral palsy (CP) typically accumulate less physical activity and more sedentary time than typically developing (TD) peers, but evidence from Middle Eastern settings is limited. We compared anthropometry and device-measured daily posture and movement between Saudi children with CP and TD peers.<b>Methods</b>In a cross-sectional comparative study, school-aged children with CP (GMFCS I–III) and age-matched TD peers wore an activPAL inclinometer over seven days. Height, weight, and BMI percentiles were assessed and the activPAL outcomes included time spent sitting and lying, standing, and stepping; sit-to-stand transitions; sedentary bout accumulation; and reciprocal leg movement (RLM) epochs.<b>Results</b>Twenty-nine children were analyzed (CP n=14; TD n=15). Compared with TD peers, the CP group showed a markedly leaner anthropometric profile with a higher prevalence of underweight. Posture-resolved monitoring indicated a behavioral pattern of greater sedentary accumulation, less time upright, and fewer daily transitions in CP. Stepping was characterized by shorter, lower-intensity RLM epochs, and sedentary time was accrued in longer, less fragmented bouts. In adjusted analyses, several posture and stepping metrics varied with body size indices, suggesting links between anthropometry and day-to-day movement behavior.<b>Conclusions</b>Children with CP exhibited distinct posture and movement profiles alongside lower weight and BMI relative to TD peers. The activPAL provided clinically interpretable metrics that can inform family counselling and rehabilitation planning. Strategies that reduce prolonged sedentary accumulation and support safe, frequent stepping—while accounting for growth and body composition—may help optimize health and participation in CP.