Daniel Yazbek
The Chiro Hub, Australia
Title: The effect of resistance training on gait kinematics and Kinetics in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review
Biography
Biography: Daniel Yazbek
Abstract
Aim: This paper reports a systematic review of Progressive resistance training (PRT) interventions for children with Cerebral Palsy. The sum of randomised controlled trials (RCT’s) within this review, aims to quantify if regular strength training increases gait velocity.
Background: Secondary problems associated with Cerebral Palsy affect normal gait mechanics compared to healthy people. Those with CP have shown to be significantly weaker than their healthy counterparts. Muscle weakness has been found to negatively affect walking speed and gait efficiency.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search identified all studies of those which contained the key words Cerebral palsy (CP), Gait and Resistance training. It included 4 electronic database journals and two internet search engines. Language was limited to English and was dated from 1998 – 2012. Progressive resistance training studies and there effects on gait parameters were selected for review.
Results: An overall mean affect 0.06 (-0.33 – 0.46) showed that gait velocity favoured the intervention over the control group.
Conclusion: Muscle weakness may not be the only contributor to poor gait performance. To achieve a greater overall mean increase in gait velocity, resistive exercise design that targets both agonist and antagonist training simultaneously should be combined with other interventions such as gait training, balance and proprioception. If gait velocity is to be maximised it is imperative to treat the cause of gait compensations and to address impaired selective voluntary motor control, abnormal stretch reflexes and to ensure sufficient heel strike at initial contact.