PURPOSE To explore muscle properties, gross motor performance, and quality of life (QoL) in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) compared with controls and to assess relationships among these outcomes. METHODS A cross-sectional study of 24 children assessed muscle properties including: knee extension strength by dynamometry; vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris (RF) muscle thickness by ultrasonography; and VL and RF neuromuscular activation (rate of muscle activation [RoA]) by electromyography (EMG). Gross motor performance and QoL were assessed by standardized tests and questionnaires. RESULTS Children with SCD had impaired knee extension strength, VL EMG RoA, gross motor performance, and QoL compared with children without SCD. Relationships among muscle properties, gross motor performance, and QoL were identified. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that comprehensive muscle properties, gross motor performance, and QoL assessments should be considered to support and develop individualized physical therapy plans for children with SCD.

中文翻译：

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镰状细胞病儿童的肌肉特性、大运动表现和生活质量。

目的 探讨镰状细胞病 (SCD) 儿童与对照组儿童的肌肉特性、粗大运动表现和生活质量 (QoL)，并评估这些结果之间的关系。方法 对 24 名儿童进行横断面研究，评估肌肉特性，包括：通过测力法测定膝关节伸展强度；超声检查显示股外侧肌 (VL) 和股直肌 (RF) 肌肉厚度；通过肌电图 (EMG) 测量 VL 和 RF 神经肌肉激活（肌肉激活率 [RoA]）。通过标准化测试和问卷评估粗大运动表现和生活质量。结果 与没有 SCD 的儿童相比，SCD 儿童的膝关节伸展力量、VL EMG RoA、粗大运动表现和生活质量受损。确定了肌肉特性、粗大运动表现和生活质量之间的关系。结论 这些研究结果表明，应考虑综合肌肉特性、粗大运动表现和生活质量评估来支持和制定针对 SCD 儿童的个性化物理治疗计划。