Exercise training program in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of an 8-month training program with standardized exercises on aerobic and anaerobic capacity in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.


METHODS
Pragmatic randomized controlled clinical trial with blinded outcome evaluation between July 2005 and October 2006.


METHODS
Participants were recruited from 4 schools for special education in the Netherlands.


METHODS
A total of 86 children with cerebral palsy (aged 7-18 years) classified at Gross Motor Function Classification System level I or II.


METHODS
Participants were randomly assigned to either the training group (n = 32) or the control group (n = 33). The training group met twice per week for 45 minutes to circuit train in a group format that focused on aerobic and anaerobic exercises.


METHODS
Aerobic capacity was assessed by the 10-m shuttle run test, and anaerobic capacity was assessed by the Muscle Power Sprint Test. Secondary outcome measures included agility, muscle strength, self-competence, gross motor function, participation level, and health-related quality of life.


RESULTS
A significant training effect was found for aerobic (P < .001) and anaerobic capacity (P = .004). A significant effect was also found for agility (P < .001), muscle strength (P < .001), and athletic competence (P = .005). The intensity of participation showed a similar effect for formal (P < .001), overall (P = .002), physical (P = .005), and skilled-based activities (P < .001). On the health-related quality of life measure, a significant improvement was found for the motor (P = .001), autonomy (P = .02), and cognition (P = .04) domains.


CONCLUSIONS
An exercise training program improves physical fitness, participation level, and quality of life in children with cerebral palsy when added to standard care.


BACKGROUND
isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN77274716.
Verschuren
Olaf
O
Rehabilitation Centre De Hoogstraat, Department of Pediatric Physical Therapy and Exercise Physiology, University Hospital for Children and Youth Het Wilhelmina Kinderziekenhuis, Utrecht, The Netherlands. o.verschuren@dehoogstraat.nl
Ketelaar
Marjolijn
M
Gorter
Jan Willem
JW
Helders
Paul J M
PJ
Uiterwaal
Cuno S P M
CS
Takken
Tim
T
D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires