Muscle strengthening in children and adolescents with spastic cerebral palsy: considerations for future resistance training protocols

Abstract

Resistance training of the lower limbs is now commonly used in clinical practice in children and adolescents with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). However, the effectiveness of this type of training is still disputed. The most recently published systematic review with meta-analysis included interventions such as electrical stimulation and resistance training and found insufficient evidence to support or refute the efficacy of these exercises in children with CP. Thus, the aim of this article is to evaluate the extent to which training protocols from the most recent randomized controlled trials are in keeping with the evidence for effective resistance training in children who are developing typically, as reflected in the training guidelines of the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Recommendations: for resistance training protocols, based on this evidence and appropriate to children with CP, are provided to help guide both future research and clinical practice for resistance training in children with CP.