A fitness program for children with disabilities.
OBJECTIVE
This case report describes a fitness program for children with disabilities and provides preliminary information about the safety and feasibility of the program.


METHODS
Nine children, 5 to 9 years of age with physical or other developmental disabilities, participated in a 14-week group exercise program held 2 times per week followed by a 12-week home exercise program. Energy expenditure index, leg strength (force-generating capacity of muscle), functional skills, fitness, self-perception, and safety were measured before intervention, after the group exercise program, and again after the home exercise program.


RESULTS
No injuries occurred, and improvements in many of the outcome measures were observed. More improvements were observed after the group exercise program than after the home program, and adherence was better during the group exercise program.


CONCLUSIONS
This case report demonstrates that a group exercise program of strength and endurance training may be a safe and feasible option for children with disabilities. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of a group fitness program and optimal training parameters.
Fragala-Pinkham
Maria A
MA
Research Center for Children with Special Health Care Needs, Franciscan Hospital for Children, 30 Warren St, Boston, MA 02135, USA. mfragala@fchrc.org
Haley
Stephen M
SM
Rabin
Jeffrey
J
Kharasch
Virginia S
VS
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001900:Boston; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D010808:Physical Examination; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012449:Safety; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology