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Int J Sports Med 2013; 34(06): 533-537
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1321803
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Aerobic Training in Children with Cerebral Palsy

A. L. Nsenga
1   UFR-STAPS, Université de Picardie, AMIENS, France
,
R. J. Shephard
2   Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto, Brackendale, Canada
,
S. Ahmaidi
3   Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Université de Picardie, AMIENS, France
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 13 June 2012

Publication Date:
26 November 2012 (online)

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Aerobic Training in Children with Cerebral PalsyInt J Sports Med 2013; 34(07): 667-667
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1349099

Abstract

Rehabilitation is a major goal for children with cerebral palsy, although the potential to enhance cardio-respiratory fitness in such individuals remains unclear. This study thus compared current cardio-respiratory status between children with cerebral palsy and able-bodied children, and examined the ability to enhance the cardio-respiratory fitness of children with cerebral palsy by cycle ergometer training. 10 children with cerebral palsy (Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I and II) participated in thrice-weekly 30 min cycle ergometer training sessions for 8 weeks (mean age: 14.2±1.9 yrs). 10 additional subjects with cerebral palsy (mean age: 14.2±1.8 yrs) and 10 able-bodied subjects (mean age: 14.1±2.1 yrs) served as controls, undertaking no training. All subjects undertook a progressive cycle ergometer test of cardio-respiratory fitness at the beginning and end of the 8-week period. Cardio-respiratory parameters [oxygen intake V ˙ O2), ventilation V ˙ E) and heart rate (HR)] during testing were measured by Cosmed K4 b gas analyzer. The children with cerebral palsy who engaged in aerobic training improved their peak oxygen consumption, heart rate and ventilation significantly (p<0.05) and they also showed a non-significant trend to increased peak power output. In conclusion, children with cerebral palsy can benefit significantly from cardio-respiratory training, and such training should be included in rehabilitation programs.

Key words

children - cerebral palsy - exercise - cardio-respiratory fitness
 

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