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Effects of Combined Exercise Training on Functional Performance in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A
Punnee Peungsuwan1, Pattamavadee Parasin, Wantana Siritaratiwat
1Research Center in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance (BNOJPH), Khon Kaen University, Thailand (Drs Peungsuwan, Siritaratiwat, and Yamauchi); School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Thailand (Drs Peungsuwan and Siritaratiwat); Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Phayao, Thailand (Ms Parasin); Srisangwan Khon Kaen Special School, Thailand (Ms Prasertnu); Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan (Dr Yamauchi); Future Institute for Sport Sciences, Tokyo, Japan (Dr Yamauchi).
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combined exercise training on functional performance in participants with cerebral palsy.
Methods:
Fifteen participants with spastic cerebral palsy were randomly allocated into either exercise or control groups. Participants in the exercise group participated in a combined strength and endurance training program for 70 minutes per day, 3 days per week, for 8 weeks, whereas those in the control group did not participate in an exercise program. Study participants in both groups continued with their regular physical therapy during the study.
Results:
After the 8-week training, a 6-minute walk, 30-second sit-to-stand, 10-m walk, and Functional Reach Tests, participants in the exercise group had significant improvement over their baseline values and were significantly higher than those in the control group.
Conclusions:
Combined exercise training improved walking ability, functional lower limb strength, and balance in participants with cerebral palsy.
