Article

Strength training programs for children with cerebral palsy (CP)
showed inconclusive evidence for improving walking, despite improvements in
strength. Recent studies have suggested that strength training with high movement
velocity is more effective for improving walking than traditional resistance training. OBJECTIVE : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of
functional high-velocity resistance training (power-training) to improve muscle
strength and walking capacity of children with CP. METHOD : Twenty-two children
with spastic CP participated (13 bilateral, Gross Motor Function Classification
System [GMFCS] level I [n = 10] and II [n = 12], 7.5 years [SD 1.8, range 4-10
years]). Within-subjects changes in a 14-weeks usual care period were compared
with changes in a 14-week functional power-training period (in groups, 3x/wk).
Outcome measures were the muscle power sprint test (MPST), 1-minute walk test
(1MWT), 10-m shuttle run test (SRT), gross motor function (GMFM-66), isometric
strength of lower-limb muscles and dynamic ankle plantar flexor strength.
RESULTS: Changes during the training period were significantly larger than
changes in the usual care period for all outcome measures ( P < .05). Large
improvements were found during the training period for walking capacity
(DeltaMPST [mean]: 27.6 W [95%CI 15.84-39.46, 83% increase], Delta1MWT: 9.4 m
[95% CI 4.17-14.68, 13%], DeltaSRT: 4.2 [95%CI 2.57-5.83, 56%], DeltaGMFM-66: 5.5
[95% CI 3.33-7.74, 7%]) and muscle strength (18%-128%), while outcomes remained
stable in the usual care period. CONCLUSIONS:
The results indicate that
functional power-training is an effective training for improving walking capacity
in young children with cerebral palsy.

Langue : ANGLAIS