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
