A qualitative analysis of the benefits of strength training for young people with cerebral palsy

Abstract

This qualitative study investigated the positive and negative outcomes of a home‐based strength‐training programme for young people with cerebral palsy (CP). Eleven young people with spastic diplegic CP (seven females, four males; mean age 12 years 9 months, SD 2 years 10 months; range 8 to 18 years) and their parents were interviewed. Gross Motor Function Classification System scores ranged from I (walks without limitations) to III (walks with assistive device), with a mode of III. The strength‐training programme, which was conducted in the participants’homes three times per week for 6 weeks (total of 18 prescribed sessions), comprised three exercises targeting the major support muscles of the lower limbs. Exercises were bilateral half squats, heel raises, and step‐ups. The training load was increased by adding free weights to a backpack so that 8 to 10 repetitions of each exercise could be performed. Using thematic coding, three categories of outcome emerged: body function and structure, activity, and participation, which were influenced by environmental and personal contextual factors. The programme generated overwhelmingly positive outcomes with only minor negative responses about some equipment and the need for parental involvement. Benefits included perceptions that strength, flexibility, posture, walking, and the ability to negotiate steps had improved. In addition, participants reported psychological benefits such as a feeling of increased well‐being and improved participation in school and leisure activities. The contextual factors highlighted the fact that sufficient clinician resources must be allocated to solve individual exercise and equipment problems. As well as providing further evidence that strength training can be beneficial, this study provides useful indicators to guide future quantitative studies of outcomes that are meaningful for people with CP.

The effects of progressive resistance training on daily physical activity in young people with cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial

“…Improvements attaining statistical significance at 5% in self-reported functional mobility were reported in the young people with bilateral CP after the same 12-week resistance training programme (Functional Assessment Questionnaire mean difference: 0.8 units (95%CI 0.1-1.6); Functional Mobility Scale at 5 m mean difference: 0.6 units (95%CI 0.1-1.1) [12]. Also, increases in walking distance and the ability to perform physical activities such as jumping up or doing squats after progressive resistance training have been reported by people with CP in previous qualitative studies [26,27].…”

Quality of life and leisure participation in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities: a thematic analysis of the literature

“…An overview of the methods of these 19 studies is presented in Table 3: nine were quantitative studies (RCT, cross-sectional) [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27], six were qualitative studies [28][29][30][31][32][33], and four were mixed methods studies (case-studies with interview, RCT with interview, cross-sectional with interview) [34][35][36][37]. In terms of diagnostic criteria, nine studies included 3.…”

Promoting the Participation of Children With Disabilities in Sports, Recreation, and Physical Activities

“…9,11 A strength-training program for young patients with CP demonstrated increased strength, improved mental wellbeing, and better overall function. 12 Another example is that of children with Down syndrome; although they have less muscle strength than typical children, they show increased exercise endurance and work capacity after participation in a specialized aerobic training program. 13 The current epidemic of obesity associated with inactivity is a global health care concern for all children, including those with disabilities.…”