The Effect of Exercise Training on Musculoskeletal Health in Individuals With Cerebral Palsy

The Effect of Exercise Training on Musculoskeletal Health in Individuals With Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder and is the most common childhood disability. CP is characterized by abnormal development, impaired motor function, and muscular and skeletal abnormalities. Due to their diminished musculoskeletal function, individuals with CP suffer a high rate of moderate to severe bone fractures, which can lead to further immobility. Optimizing muscle and bone health with exercise may be important in minimizing fractures from limited mobility, and fundamental for maximizing health-related quality of life. The main purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of exercise training on musculoskeletal system in individuals with CP, with the goal of reducing the incidence of falls and fractures. To accomplish these aims, musculoskeletal health will be assessed using various physiological techniques (e.g., Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry, Humac Norm Isokinematic System, Biodex Balance System) before, during, and after one year of exercise training in individuals with CP. In addition, various functional mobility tests to quantify fitness levels will be performed. Findings may lead to the development of novel therapeutic interventions targeted at improving musculoskeletal health in individuals with CP.

Inclusion Criteria:

• those who can follow simple commands and walk independently with or without the use of an assistance apparatus (within Classification level I-III, based on Gross Motor Functioning Classification System, GMFCS) and have cerebral palsy will be included in the study. The rationale for such inclusion criteria (level I-III) is to make sure they can perform some leg exercise and tests.

Exclusion Criteria:

• If subjects have a history or symptoms of cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, or respiratory diseases, they will be excluded in the study.