Upper extremity resistance exercise with elastic bands for respiratory function in children with cerebral palsy

Seung-Oh Shin1, Nan-Soo Kim2

  • 1Department of Physical Therapy, Ulsan Rehabilitation Social Welfare Center, Republic of Korea.

Insights

Upper extremity resistance exercise with elastic bands improved maximal expiratory pressure and grip strength in children with cerebral palsy. This intervention positively impacts respiratory function and physical capabilities in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Exercise Physiology

Background:

  • Cerebral palsy (CP) often affects motor function, including respiratory muscles.
  • Limited research exists on the impact of specific exercise interventions on respiratory function in children with CP.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of upper extremity resistance exercise using elastic bands on respiratory function and grip strength in children with cerebral palsy.

Main Methods:

  • Fifteen children with CP were assigned to an experimental (n=8) or control (n=7) group.
  • The experimental group performed 8 weeks of additional upper extremity resistance exercise with elastic bands.
  • Pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and grip strength were measured pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

  • No significant changes were observed in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, or peak expiratory flow in either group.
  • The experimental group showed a significant increase in maximal expiratory pressure compared to the control group.
  • Grip strength significantly improved in the experimental group post-intervention.

Conclusions:

  • Upper extremity resistance exercise with elastic bands positively influences expiratory muscle strength in children with CP.
  • This exercise modality is effective in enhancing grip strength in this population.
  • Elastic band exercises represent a viable option for improving specific functional outcomes in pediatric cerebral palsy.

Related Concept Videos

Anatomy of Respiratory System I: Upper Respiratory Tract01:29

Anatomy of Respiratory System I: Upper Respiratory Tract

The upper respiratory tract plays a vital role in the respiratory system, comprising several structures that facilitate air intake and prepare air for the lungs. It also serves as the first line of defense against pathogens and particles. This tract includes the nose and nasal cavity, the oral cavity, the paranasal sinuses, and the pharynx, each with specific functions and features.
Nose and nasal cavity
The nose and nasal cavity represent the main external openings of the respiratory tract....
5.5K
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Decongestants01:27

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Decongestants

Decongestants are a class of medications used primarily to alleviate nasal congestion, a common symptom resulting from allergies, colds, sinusitis, and other upper respiratory tract infections. These drugs work by activating α-adrenergic receptors, constricting small blood vessels in the nasal membranes. This action results in the opening of clogged nasal passages, thereby facilitating sinus drainage and relieving congestion.
Most decongestants are readily available over-the-counter in...
951
Upper Respiratory Drugs: First and Second-Generation Antihistamines01:15

Upper Respiratory Drugs: First and Second-Generation Antihistamines

Antihistamines are a class of drugs widely used to alleviate the symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, itching, and nasal congestion. They work by inhibiting the actions of histamine, which is released by immune cells in response to allergenic substances or tissue injuries.
Histamine binds to specific receptor sites, known as H1 receptors, on tissue cells, triggering inflammation and swelling. Antihistamines combat these effects by competing with histamine for these receptor sites. By...
1.3K
Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:16

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Upper respiratory tract disorders, including viral infections and allergic rhinitis, cause significant discomfort and disrupt daily life. Managing these conditions involves a variety of drugs, such as antihistamines, intranasal steroids, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics. Specific examples of drugs in each category are provided.
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...
686
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
1.1K
Band Theory02:35

Band Theory

When two or more atoms come together to form a molecule, their atomic orbitals combine and molecular orbitals of distinct energies result. In a solid, there are a large number of atoms, and therefore a large number of atomic orbitals that may be combined into molecular orbitals. These groups of molecular orbitals are so closely placed together to form continuous regions of energies, known as the bands.
The energy difference between these bands is known as the band gap.
Conductor, Semiconductor,...
17.3K