Cerebral palsy is defined as non-progressive lesions or damages in the brain at or before birth, leading to impairments in movement and posture.

Movement and Strength of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Movement and Strength of Children with Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is defined as non-progressive lesions or damage in the brain at
or before birth, leading to impairments in movement and posture.

These impairments vary from person to person, but the majority of children with
cerebral palsy experience differences in muscle strength which can lead to many
functional challenges throughout their lives.





As discussed in the article above, strength training in children with cerebral
palsy has been shown to be beneficial particularly in improving their motor
activity. It can be confusing for caregivers to objectively determine what type
and frequency of strength training activity would be helpful. Evaluations such
as the Pediatric Functional Muscle Test can be useful for clinicians and
therapists for in-the-moment information, but provides limited information and
applications for continued training.

It is important to know the basic principles of strength training with children
with cerebral palsy before starting any program.



Strength training for children with cerebral palsy
 1. Repetition!
    Children with cerebral palsy often have difficulty activating certain muscle
    groups. In order to effectively strengthen these muscle groups, training
    should focus on repetition of postures or activities that encourage movement
    in these areas.
    
    
 2. Find the right tools!
    In order for a training program to be effective the child needs to be able
    to understand and engage in the instructed movements.
    
    
 3. Positioning!
    Engaging in the activity with good posture will enhance the effectiveness of
    the training
    
    
 4. Adaptation!
    Make sure the training activity is an appropriate amount of challenge for
    the child's abilities. Remove too-complex elements or add challenge to
    too-easy elements to ensure they stay motivated.
    
    
 5. Engagement!
    Training that is relevant to the child's interests will have better
    long-term effects. Ensure they have a say in their program, either catering
    a routine to include relevant personal touches or letting the child pick the
    day's activity are surefire strategies.
    
    





Goals of strength training for CP
Not only can strength training activities for children with cerebral palsy
strengthen muscle groups, these effects can translate into improved function in
daily life. Stronger and more coordinated muscles may lend to greater
independence in self-care skills and feelings of capability and self-confidence.

The benefits of strengthening for pediatric CP are clear. Look to your
rehabilitation team for additional tips to get started on an effective exercise
program.



Dodd KJ, Taylor NF, Damiano DL. A systematic review of the effectiveness of
strength-training programs for people with cerebral palsy. Arch Phys Med
Rehabil. 2002;83(8):1157-1164. doi:10.1053/apmr.2002.34286