MEASUREMENT OF OXYGEN-CONSUMPTION IN DISABLED-CHILDREN BY THE COSMED K2 PORTABLE TELEMETRY SYSTEM

Measurement of the energy cost of walking in children with cerebral pa lsy or spina bifida is difficult due to the cumbersome nature of equip ment used to assess oxygen consumption. Such information collected wit h a lightweight telemetric system, the Cosmed K2, correlated well with that from a non-portable breath-by-breath system associated with a tr eadmill. The K2 did not significantly affect regular gait pattern as m easured by gait analysis, and repeatability was satisfactory. Measurem ent of the energy cost of walking in the individual is unreliable in d etecting differences of less than 10%; comparison between groups is mo re useful.