Effects of static bicycle training on gross motor function, muscle strength and spasticity of adolescents with spastic cerebral palsy
Journal Title: Biology of Exercise - Year 2013, Vol 9, Issue 1
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of an 8-week lower limb strengthening program on gross motor function, muscle strength and spasticity levels of both the quadriceps and hip adductors of adolescents 14 to 19 years of age with spastic cerebral palsy using a specific static bicycle (Thera-Vital exerciser). Eight students were assigned to the experimental group and another 8 to the control group. The strengthening program took place 3 times a week (6 sets of 10 to 15 full cycling circles). The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) (dimensions D and E), an isometric hand-held dynamometer and Asworth scale were the measurement instruments used in the study. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was applied for identifying the statistical importance of the results of the intervention protocol. A statistically significant improvement in both gross motor function (p = 0.016) and muscle strength (p = 0.039) was found without a statistically significant alteration of the muscle tone of the quadriceps and hip adductors of the participants (p = 0.13 and p = 0.33). The results of the present study indicate that static bicycle is a safe and effective means of exercise since it improves the gross motor function of adolescents with cerebral palsy without increasing the muscle tone of the lower limb.
Authors and Affiliations
CHRISTOS TSIGKANOS| Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, NIKOLAOS CHRYSAGIS| Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, MICHAIL NIKOPOULOS| Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, DIMITRA KOUTSOUKI| Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Keywords
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- EP ID EP15842
- DOI http:doi.org/10.4127/jbe.2013.0064
- Views 288
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