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Physical conditioning in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Kamilla Passini Santos1, Verônica Mirian Machado da SiIva2, Isabella Ferreira Dos Reis3
1Physiotherapist Graduated from the Newton Paiva University Center, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Insights
Physical conditioning training significantly improves cardiorespiratory fitness in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). This intervention enhances distance walked and maximum oxygen consumption (VO₂ max), offering clinical benefits for this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is characterized by permanent, non-progressive brain disorders affecting infants and fetuses.
- Children and adolescents with CP exhibit lower cardiorespiratory fitness and higher energy expenditure during daily activities compared to their typically developing peers.
- Targeted physical conditioning interventions are crucial for improving the health and functional capacity of individuals with CP.
Conclusions:
- Physical conditioning training demonstrates clear clinical benefits for improving cardiorespiratory fitness in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.
- Aerobic and endurance-focused exercise interventions are effective in enhancing functional capacity, specifically walking distance and VO₂ max.
- These findings support the integration of structured physical conditioning programs into the management of cerebral palsy to improve overall health outcomes.
Introduction:
Cerebral palsy (CP) can be described as a group of permanent non-progressive disorders that occur in the developing fetal or infant brain. Studies have shown that children and adolescents with CP have low cardiorespiratory fitness and higher energy expenditure during daily activities when compared to typical children. Therefore, interventions focused on the physical conditioning of this population could be critical.
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of physical conditioning training on distance walked and maximum oxygen consumption (VO₂ max) in individuals with CP, through a systematic review.
Method:
Two independent researchers performed systematic searches in the PUBMED, SciELO, PEDro, ERIC, and Cochrane databases using the search terms "physical fitness", "aerobic training" or "endurance" combined with "cerebral palsy".
Inclusion Criteria:
(1) population (children and adolescents with CP between 5 and 18 years old); (2) type of study (experimental studies); (3) type of intervention (physical conditioning protocols); (4) outcome (distance walked in the 6 min walking test - 6MWT, and VO₂ max).
Results:
386 studies were identified and 5 articles were considered eligible. After physical conditioning training, there was an increase of 46.34 m (p = 0.07) and 5.93. ml. kg-1. min -1 (p < 0.001) in the 6MWT and VO₂ max, respectively.
Conclusion:
Physical conditioning training appears to be clinically beneficial to the cardiorespiratory fitness of children and adolescents with CP.
