Functional Exercise Training in Cerebral Palsy: Follow Up

University of Basel27 enrolled

Overview

The goal of this cross-sectional study is to compare able-bodied peers to adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) who have been regularly performing high-intensity functional training for almost two years. The main research question is: is structured, long-term exercise training able to compensate strength and cardiovascular deficits in adolescents with CP compared to able-bodied peers?

The pilot study investigating the effects of a functional exercise training in adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) showed increases in strength, power, daily function as well as cardiovascular health. In order to establish the origin of the improvements and its broader effects, we wish to conduct follow-up measurements to the pilot study. These follow-up measurements would establish whether the positive changes in physical performance are due to neural or muscular changes (or both), and shed more light on how therapy should be performed and prescribed in adolescents with CP. Additionally, we wish to measure their aerobic capacity as well as examine their microvascular health. For this cross-sectional analysis, the participants of the CP-FIT Pilot Study who continued to train on a regular basis will be compared to age-matched peers in order to establish whether their strength and fitness deficits compared to peers can be compensated through structured and progressive functional exercise training.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy

Interventions

Physical performance and cardiovascular health measuresOTHER

* Retinal vessel analysis * Muscle ultrasound * Knee extension * Voluntary activation * spiroergometry

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 14 YearsMax age: 27 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: CP Individuals: * Diagnosis of CP. * Between 14 and 26 years of age. * Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS): I-II. * Cognitive abilities must include: Ability to verbally or non-verbally communicate pain or discomfort; Ability to attend testing and; ability to understand and follow instructions. All included participants are capable of making decisions on their own and no not show any signs of mental or cognitive limitations. Healthy peers: \- Between 14 and 26 years of age. Exclusion Criteria: CP Individuals: * Any surgery or botulinum toxin treatment within 6 months prior to the measurements or scheduled during study period. Other medications can be continued as prescribed by the participants' physician. * Known cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases that have not received medical clearance to participate in physical exercise. * Uncontrolled seizures or epilepsy. * Inability to conform to the above mentioned cognitive and physical abilities. Healthy peers: * Diagnosis of congenital heart defects, pulmonary diseases or any neuromuscular disorders or diseases. * Diagnosis of any acute diseases.

Locations (1)

Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel

Basel, Canton of Basel-City, Switzerland

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Maximum knee extension force

Maximum force of knee extension in relation to body weight

Time frame: 20 minutes

Secondary Outcomes

Microvascular health

Static retinal vessel analysis

Time frame: 5 minutes

Voluntary activation

Maximum force able to voluntarily activate

Time frame: 15 minutes

Spiroergometry

Cardiopulmonary test on bicycle ergometer

Time frame: 20 minutes

Muscle architecture

Ultrasound of defined muscle groups

Time frame: 10 minutes

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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