PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a strength and aerobic interval training program on arm-cranking economy, aerobic capacity, and gross motor function in children and adolescents with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Seven subjects (five females, two males; mean age 15.9, range 14 to 18 yr) participated in a 12-wk aerobic interval and strength training program, three times per week, 70 min per session. The aerobic interval training required the subjects to perform 60-m uphill walking repetitions. Six individuals (four females, two males; mean age 15.7, range 14 to 17 yr) who did not receive the training program served as controls. Pre- and postexercise tests were performed to assess changes in arm-cranking economy, aerobic capacity, and gross motor function. RESULTS: The results demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) reductions in the oxygen cost of arm cranking (mean +/- SD pre 13.2 +/- 3.22 mL/kg/min, post 12.7 +/- 3.38 mL/kg/min) and %VO2peak (pre 75.8 +/- 3.55%, post 61.8 +/- 7.47%) in the training group. Significant (p < 0.05) increases in aerobic capacity (pre 17.5 +/- 4.45 mL/kg/min, post 20.8 +/- 5.93 mL/kg/min) were also noted for the training group. Significant (p < 0.05) improvements in gross motor function measures were also noted in the training group (pre 30.35%, post 33.85%). CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that the application of a 12-wk strength and aerobic interval training program reduced the oxygen cost of arm cranking, improved aerobic capacity, and improved gross motor function in children and adolescents with CP.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher