CAN-flip: A Pilot Gymnastics Program for Children With Cerebral Palsy.
This pilot study examined whether an adapted gymnastics program, CAN-flip, could be a feasible activity for children with cerebral palsy (CP) leading to improvements in muscle fitness, motor performance, and physical self-perception. Four girls and 1 boy (9.8 ± 1.3 yr) with CP participated in this multiple-baseline across-subjects design and were randomly assigned to start either the 6-wk gymnastics or the 6-wk control period. Muscle strength, neuromuscular activation, range of motion, gross motor performance, balance, and physical self-perception were assessed at baseline, after the first 6-wk period, and at the conclusion of the study. The gymnastics program comprised two 1-hr individualized classes per week. All participants were able to complete the gymnastics classes without injury and showed improvement in specific gymnastics skills. In addition, 3 of the 5 participants registered for regular gymnastics classes after the study, demonstrating the program's usability as a link to inclusive gymnastic classes.
Dept. of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada.
Olivia
O
Cook
Gail
G
Frost
Donna
D
Twose
Linda
L
Wallman
Bareket
B
Falk
Victoria
V
Galea
Allan
A
Adkin
Panagiota
P
Klentrou
D000886:Anthropometry; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006173:Gymnastics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology