Physical fitness can help improve posture, muscle tone and balance in people with cerebral palsy, according to the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD). Safe physical activities for people with cerebral palsy (CP) depend on the type. The types of CP include spastic, resulting in stiff, awkward movement; athetoid, which causes uncontrollable, writhing movements; and ataxic, which affects balance and depth perception.
Benefits
A study published in "Physical Therapy," the journal of the American Physical Therapy Association, found that physically inactive people with CP experience greater severity of symptoms and a lower sense of overall well-being than that of active CP patients. Many people with CP are sedentary because of barriers to participating in sports or other physical activity. Secondary conditions associated with this sedentary lifestyle in people with CP include obesity, poor growth patterns, fragility and pain. According to a report by the Pediatric Research Summit, physical fitness can reduce or eliminate many of CP's secondary conditions.
Flexibility Training
Studies reported by the NCPAD showed that flexibility training improves range of motion in people with CP. The Oklahoma State University Health Sciences Center reports that static stretches, which involve slow stretches held for no more than 30 seconds at a time, are more efficient in enhancing flexibility and range of motion than other types of stretches, such as dynamic. Stretch all muscle groups at least three days per week. 4MyChild, an organization for special needs children, recommends yoga as a type of flexibility training for people with CP.
Cardio
The United Cerebral Palsy organization suggests aerobic programs beneficial to people with CP, particularly children. Benefits of regular aerobic exercise include improved endurance and cardiovascular health. Activities, such as cycling for three 20-minute sessions each week, swimming, mat exercises and modified aerobic dance routines, are all recommended.
Resistance Training
According to the "Rehab Management" journal, resistance training is an important part of physical therapy for people with CP, because it can improve range of motion and overall muscle tone. The online journal recommends a variety of resistance training activities to work the muscles of the spine, core, arms, hips, legs and feet, and it includes modifications to make exercise enjoyable for children with CP.
Safety
For optimum safety, people with CP should work out under the supervision of a physical therapist or personal trainer who specializes in special needs fitness. Consult a physician before beginning any new fitness program. The NCPAD suggests safety modifications based on the type and severity of CP. For example, people with complete hemiplegic paralysis, or paralysis on one side of the body, should use flexibility training rather than strength training. People with ataxic CP may find it safer to exercise from a seated position, due to balance issues. Those with athetoid CP may wish to use cuff weights or machines, rather than free weights or resistance bands, due to the risk of losing their grip.
References
- National Center on Physical Activity and Disability: Resistance Training Guidelines for Cerebral Palsy
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Cerebral Palsy
- "Physical Therapy"; Promotion of Physical Fitness and Prevention of Secondary Conditions for Children with Cerebral Palsy; Eileen Fowler; November 2007
- Oklahoma State University Health Sciences Center: Exercise to Increase Flexibility
- 4MyChild: Exercise Matters to Children with Cerebral Palsy
- United Cerebral Palsy: Promotion of Physical Fitness
