Abdominal and lower extremity muscles activity and thickness in typically developing children and children with developmental delay

Abstract

We investigated abdominal and lower extremity muscle activity and thickness in typically developing children and children with developmental delays. A total of 35 children participated: typically developing peers (n = 13), children with hypotonia (n = 10), and children with spasticity (n = 12). Muscle activity and thickness were measured at rest and during activity. Electromyography was used to measure abdominal and lower extremity muscle activities, and abdominal muscle thickness was measured using ultrasonography. There was a significant difference between the groups in the activity of the rectus abdominis and quadriceps muscles at rest and during activity (<i>P</i> < 0.05). There was a significant difference between the groups in the thickness of the external oblique and transversus abdominis muscles during activity (<i>P</i> < 0.05). There was a significant difference between the groups in the thickness of the external oblique and internal oblique muscles in the sitting position (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Therefore, the characteristics of muscle tone should be considered when applying interventions to children with developmental delay.