The Effects of Aquatic Resistive Exercise on Function in Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy (2009)
Undergraduate: Kelsey Falvey
Faculty Advisor: Meredith Petschauer
Department: Exercise & Sport Science
As children with cerebral palsy (CP) age into adolescence and adulthood, secondary complications, such as decreased range of motion, decreased cardiovascular endurance and an increase in muscle weakness are common (Darrah 1999, Thorpe 2000, Fowler 2007). Muscle weakness is often identified as the most pervasive impairment associated with CP and is directly related to one’s level of motor function (Kramer 1994, Damiano 1995, Damiano 1998, Wiley 1998). An inadequate amount of physical activity in children with CP is a major contributor to the development of an array of these debilitating secondary conditions. Fitness interventions are becoming an increasingly popular choice of therapy for children with CP because of its proven benefits of increased muscle strength, aerobic capacity, and gross motor function (Damiano 1998, Damiano 2002, Kelly 2005). However, research studying the effects of exercise on children with CP has largely been confined to land-based interventions. The unique properties of water make aquatic exercise an appealing therapy option for both ambulatory and non-ambulatory children with CP who are unable to engage in land-based exercises, however, supporting evidence is scarce. The buoyancy of water provides reduced stress on the joints and increased postural and joint stability because it reduces the effects of gravity exerted on the body. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an individualized aquatic resistive exercise program on composite leg strength, gross motor function, fat mass, lean muscle mass, and bone mineral density. Nine adolescents with a diagnosis of CP, ages ranging from 12-20 years old, participated in a 10-week intervention of vigorous aerobic and resistive aquatic exercise. Variables were evaluated before the intervention and immediately following the cessation of aquatic exercise. Body composition (i.e. fat mass, lean muscle mass, bone mineral density) was measured through dual-energy X-ray abso