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Effect of Cardiovascular Endurance Training on the Exercise Capacity and Endurance in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Rochelle Tauro1, Sankar Ganesh1, Jenniefer G Vincent1
1Physiotherapy, St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, IND.
Insights
Cardiovascular endurance training improved exercise capacity and reduced fatigue in children with cerebral palsy (CP). This intervention also decreased caregiver fatigue, highlighting the benefits of exercise for both children and their families.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric rehabilitation
- Exercise physiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is non-progressive brain damage impacting physical fitness and increasing risks for secondary health issues.
- Children with CP exhibit lower aerobic capacity (VO2 peak) compared to healthy peers.
- Poor physical fitness in CP is linked to obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a 12-week cardiovascular endurance training program on children with CP.
- To assess changes in exercise capacity, endurance, and fatigue levels in children with CP.
- To measure the effect of the training program on the fatigue levels of parents and caregivers.
Main Methods:
- 16 children (aged 7-12) with CP (GMFCS levels I-III) participated in the study.
- A 12-week program involved 60-minute sessions, three times weekly, targeting 64-95% of maximum heart rate.
- Measurements included the six-minute walk test, VO2 max, Early Activity Scale for Endurance, and PROMIS Fatigue Scales.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed in the six-minute walk distance (+20.95 points) and VO2 max (+0.06 points).
- Exercise capacity (Early Activity Scale for Endurance: +4.06 points) and endurance improved significantly.
- Patient-reported fatigue decreased for both children (PROMIS Pediatric Fatigue Scale: -7.29 points) and parents (PROMIS Parent Proxy Scale: -6.81 points).
Conclusions:
- Structured cardiovascular endurance training enhances exercise capacity and endurance in children with CP.
- The training program effectively reduced perceived fatigue in both children with CP and their caregivers.
- This intervention demonstrates a positive impact on the overall well-being of families affected by CP.
Background:
Cerebral palsy (CP) is non-progressive brain damage that occurs before, during, or shortly after birth. CP is associated with poor physical fitness, which is linked to health problems and the development of secondary illnesses like obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Compared to healthy peers without CP, children with CP have considerably lower VO2 peaks, which reduces their performance and aerobic capacity.
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate changes in exercise capacity and endurance among children with CP, as well as fatigue levels among their parents and caregivers, after participation in cardiovascular endurance training.
Methodology:
This study included 16 children aged 7-12 years with CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I, II, or III). Participants completed a 12-week cardiovascular endurance program consisting of 60-minute sessions three times weekly designed to achieve 64-95% of their heart rate maximum,based on the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines. Pre- and post-intervention measurements were recorded for the following: distance covered in a six-minute walk, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) level, Early Activity Scale for Endurance rating, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric Fatigue Scale score and PROMIS Parent Proxy Scale and Fatigue Scale scores. Result: Upon completing the cardiovascular endurance training, the distance covered during a six-minute walk improved by 20.95 points, resting heart rate by 5.19 points, VO2 max by 0.06 points, Early Activity Scale for Endurance by 4.06 points, PROMIS Pediatric Fatigue Scale by 7.29 points, PROMIS Parent Proxy Scale by 6.81 points, and PROMIS Fatigue Scale by 5.07 points. The maximum heart rate also showed a slight improvement of 0.33 points (p<0.01).
Conclusion:
A structured exercise protocol aimed at improving cardiovascular endurance can benefit children with CP by improving their exercise capacity and endurance, which in turn can help decrease fatigue levels among their parents and caregivers.
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