Effects of Circuit Training in Children with Cerebral Palsy

The objective of this study was to determine whether an individually tailored fitness and circuit-training programme for adolescents with cerebral palsy who are transitioning to high school, would produce improvements in function and access to the physical education curriculum and school environment.

Eleven young people with cerebral palsy, aged between 11 and 15 years (seven with diplegia, four with hemiplegia), participated twice weekly in a circuit-training program. The circuit included a treadmill, recliner bike, lat pull down, stair master, chest press, upright bike, seated row, stairs and leg press. Weight training alternated with cardiovascular training.

We assessed muscle strength, balance, sit-to-stand and lie-to-stand transfers, walking, and participation and activity preferences immediately before the 8-week program, and again after it, and again at 8-week follow-up.

We found significant improvements in some measures of muscle strength. Improvements balance and some measures of muscle strength were maintained for 8 weeks after the program. When the program was finished, eight participants expressed an interest in continuing a fitness program. Several families also noted functional differences such as reduced falls, better falls (with less likelihood of hitting the head), and increased arm use.