The PEDALS Project: Exercise for Children With Cerebral Palsy

Participants: Olaf Verschuren, PT, PhD, PCS, is Investigator, Centre of Excellence, Rehabilitation Centre De Hoogstraat, Utrecht, the Netherlands, and lead author Eileen Fowler, PT, PhD, is Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Director of Research and Education and Peter William Shapiro Chair, UCLA/Orthopaedic Hospital Center for Cerebral Palsy, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. Moderator: Carolynn Patten, PT, PhD, PTJ Editorial Board Member.

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Files in this Data Supplement:

• Discussion Podcast - The group discusses “Pediatric Endurance and Limb Strengthening (PEDALS) for Children With Cerebral Palsy Using Stationary Cycling: A Randomized Controlled Trial,” specific clinical aspects related to exercise for children with cerebral palsy (CP), and the broader issue of fitness for this population. Moderator Carolynn Patten comments, “For a long time, pediatric physical therapy suffered from this notion that we shouldn’t have people with neurologic disorders exert, because there might be negative consequences if they do high-exertion activities.” Today, as Fowler notes, the benefits of exercise for health and well-being are well established: “Children with CP should be provided with exercise protocols that they can do, so that they also have the opportunity to promote their own health and well-being throughout their lifetime.” Verschuren emphasizes that an early introduction to a lifestyle that includes intensive exercise can only benefit the future health and physical activity of all children, including those with CP.

  Quick Grabs:

  Fowler: “Because children with cerebral palsy have poor selective motor control, we thought that cycling would be a good intervention.”
  
  Olaf Verschuren: “We should train at least for 12 weeks in children with cerebral palsy.”
  
  Fowler: “Just the fact that the therapist can provide them with an exercise program that they can do on a continual basis…with therapist guidance…is really important.”
  
  Verschuren: “A program like PEDALS really makes it easy for therapists to start fitness training for children… Physical therapists can make a difference.”

  Running time: 20:30 (14.2 MB) Posted: 5/20/2010.

  References Cited in this Discussion

  Verschuren O, Ketelaar M, Gorter JW, et al. Exercise training program in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007;161:1075–1081.

  Siebert KL, DeMuth SK, Knutson LM, Fowler EG. Stationary cycling and children with cerebral palsy: case reports for two participants. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 2010;30(2):111–124.

  Rimmer JH, Riley B, Wang E, et al. Physical activity participation among persons with disabilities: barriers and facilitators. Am J Prev Med. 2004;26:419–425.

  Johnston TE, Barr AE, Lee SCK. Biomechanics of submaximal recumbent cycling in adolescents with and without cerebral palsy. Phys Ther. 2007;87:572–585.

  Scianni A, Butler JM, Ada L, Teixeira-Salmela LF. Muscle strengthening is not effective in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: a systematic review. Aust J Physiother. 2009;55(2):81–87.

  Faigenbaum AD, Kraemer WJ, Blimkie CJ, et al. Youth resistance training: updated position statement paper from the national strength and conditioning association. J Strength Cond Res. 2009;23(5 suppl):S60–S79.

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