title: Progressive resistance training and mobility-related function in young people with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate whether individualized resistance training improves the physical mobility of young people with cerebral palsy (CP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight participants with spastic diplegic CP (26 males, 22 females; mean age 18y 1mo, SD 1y 11mo) classified as level II or III on the Gross Motor Function Classification System were allocated randomly to progressive resistance training or usual-care control. Resistance training was completed twice weekly for 12 weeks at a community gymnasium under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Exercises were based on instrumented gait analysis and targeted muscles contributing to walking difficulties. Outcomes at 12 weeks and 24 weeks included objective measures of mobility (6-min walk test, instrumented gait analysis, and Gross Motor Function Measure dimensions D and E), participant-rated measures of mobility (Functional Mobility Scale and Functional Assessment Questionnaire), and muscle performance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The strength of targeted muscles increased by 27% (95% CI 8-46%) compared with control group. There were no between-group differences in any objective measure of mobility at 12 weeks (6-min walk test: mean difference 0.1m; 95% CI -21 to 21m) or at 24 weeks. Participant-rated mobility improved (Functional Mobility Scale at 5m: mean 0.6 units; 95% CI 0.1-1.1 units; Functional Assessment Questionnaire: 0.8 units; 95% CI 0.1-1.6 units) compared with control group at 12 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individualized progressive resistance training increased strength in adolescents and young adults with spastic diplegic CP. Despite participant-rated benefits, the increased strength did not result in objective improvements in mobility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia. n.taylor@latrobe.edu.au
authors.forename: Nicholas F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Karen J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Dodd
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Willoughby
authors.forename: Pam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thomason
authors.forename: H Kerr
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D057285:Precision Medicine; D055070:Resistance Training; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult