Anticipatory and Compensatory Postural Adjustments in Sitting and Standing Positions During Functional Activities in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

Only 21 of 60 screened children were included, and all were GMFCS level I or II who could stand and ambulate independently, so the findings may not apply to children with more limited motor function. The study measured EMG amplitude during one ball-catching task and did not include kinematic outcomes such as centre of pressure displacement, so it does not show how posture or movement quality changed. Topographical differentiation was not used. The authors note that most level I children were hemiplegic while level II children were diplegic, so GMFCS comparisons are confounded. The APA heavy versus light comparisons were not significant in sitting or standing, although the conclusion states increased APA with heavier load. No typically developing comparison group was included, so the EMG values cannot be judged against typical postural responses.

Do not conclude that heavier ball training improves posture or function. This was an observational EMG study in 21 children with CP, and it tested muscle activity during one task, not a rehabilitation programme or a functional outcome.