Two-way chi square analysis showed no significant differences in the distribution between groups (CP-FMS vs. CP-C) and between GMFCS levels (χ2 = 1.67, df = 2, p = 0.435). For the second study group, two classes of typically developing (TD) children without disability were recruited from a primary school (n = 26; 13 girls, 13 boys) and were allocated to either FMS training (TD-FMS; n = 13; mean age: 7.17 ± 2.77 years) or control (TD-C; n = 13; mean age: 6.82 ± 2.51 years). All participants from both groups met the following inclusion criteria: (1) no known health conditions that were contraindicated to engagement in moderate PA, (2) able to follow a minimum of 2-step commands, (3)

gave verbal assent, and (4) returned signed parental informed consent. No significant differences were found in the age and BMI selleck compound of the study groups. This pilot study used a pre–post-test design see more over a period of 8 weeks. Each participant completed 1-week baseline PA monitoring, followed by an FMS pre-test in the second week. Training sessions (45 min) were

conducted once per week for the FMS groups over 4 weeks, while the control groups received either their regular physiotherapy session (CP) or PE classes (TD). An FMS post-test was conducted in the subsequent week after completion of training, followed by post-training PA monitoring in the final week. All the study procedures were approved by the institutional review board of the University of Hong Kong. PA was monitored by uni-axial accelerometers (Actigraph 7164 model, Actigraph LLC, Pensacola, FL, USA) worn on the hip for 7 days23 at pre-training and post-training. The accelerometers were calibrated to a 15-s epoch to account for intermittent short bursts of activities that are typical of children. Evidence supports the validity of the Actigraph as a PA measure in children with

CP24 and 25 and children without disability.26 Data were analyzed for those who met a required minimum monitoring of 5 days (3 weekdays, 2 weekend days). Trost et al.27 determined that in children and adolescents, at least 4 monitoring days are needed to achieve acceptable reliability. Consistent with published standards for PA monitoring using the Actigraph, days with a total monitoring time of <5 h and >18 h were excluded28 and continuous Urease accelerometer counts of zero for ≥20 min were considered non-wear times.29 Log diaries were also distributed to enhance monitoring compliance and verify data.27 The cut-points suggested by Evenson et al.30 were used to estimate the time spent in sedentary, light physical activity (LPA), and MVPA. The cut points have been shown to be valid among children without disability30 and those with CP.25 FMS proficiency was measured using five components (locomotor: run, jump; object-control: throw, catch, kick) of the Test of Gross Motor Development-2nd edition (TGMD-2).