Cerebral palsy is a neuromotor disorder, or a disorder of the neurological system that affects motor skills. Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common form of the condition; people who experience spasticity have abnormally tight or rigid muscles, which affects mobility and other motor skills. According to a 1998 article in the "Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation," muscle weakness can also be a characteristic shared by people who have spastic CP. Strength training as a part of physical therapy can lead to positive functional outcomes in both physical and emotional development.
Mobility
Increased mobility and an improved gait when walking are clear outcomes of strength training, according to an article published in the October 2008 issue of "Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology." Children who performed strength training, weight-bearing and resistance exercises three times weekly were assessed for gross motor skills after two months. In addition to increased strength in their muscles, which can offset any asymmetry that affects gait, the length of stride improved, as well as an increase of power provided by hip flexors when pushing off to walk. The improvement in mobility can help not only with walking but performing everyday tasks.
Speed of Walking
Patients with spastic cerebral palsy may also be able to increase their speed of walking after consistently performing a series of strengthening exercises for the hips, ankles and abdominal muscles, according to "Rehab Management." The journal reports that spasticity does not improve when measuring an exercised leg against a non-exercised limb, but the combination of range of motion and muscle strength gains that can occur through the exercises can lead to an increased velocity of walking in some people.
Increased Strength and Endurance
Strength and resistance training among individuals with spastic cerebral palsy increased muscle strength, which is beneficial to completing ADLs, or activities of daily living, according to the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, or NCPAD. Functioning independently is not always easy if your muscles are weak. The NCPAD highlights the fact that weight training may be a tool through which wheelchair users can increase the facility with which they can propel their chair independently.
Improved Self-Image and Socialization
Emotional health, just like physical health, can contribute to a higher functioning in most people; if you're feeling good inside, you are more likely to function at a higher level in your daily life. A 2003 article in "Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology" reports that strength training exercises led to an increase in self-esteem in children who are affected by CP, including a spike in participation in school events and other activities including their peers.
References
- "Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation"; Functional Outcomes of Strength Training in Spastic Cerebral Palsy; Diane Damiano and Mark Abel; 1998.
- National Center on Physical Activity and Disability: Exercise Literature on Cerebral Palsy: Resistance Training
- "Rehab Management"; Pediatric Strength Training; Joanne Bundonis; April 2007.
- "Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology"; Muscle Strength Training to Improve Gait Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy; M. Eek et al; October 2008.
- "Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology"; A Qualitative Analysis of the Benefits of Strength Training for Young People With Cerebral Palsy; Helen McBurney, Nicholas F Taylor, Karen J Dodd, and H Kerr Graham, 2003.
