Functional Exercise Training in Cerebral Palsy: Follow Up

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.