142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

Home Events & Meetings Annual Meeting Schedule & Program

Online Program

Annual Meeting Recordings are now available for purchase

312231
Effects of Power Training on Individuals with Cerebral Palsy- Preliminary Results from a Pilot Study

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Kristina Kendall, PhD , Department of Health and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Gavin Colquitt, Ed.D., CAPE, CSCS , Department of Health and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Theophile Dipita, MS , Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Keagan Kiely , Department of Health and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Megan Jennings , Department of Health and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Nicholas Coker , Department of Health and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Li Li, PhD , Department of Health and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Background: Power training (PT) may be an effective modality to overcome muscle weakness for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). The purpose of this project was to pilot test a PT intervention for individuals with CP.

Methods: Using rolling recruitment, six participants were randomly assigned to either the control group (CG, n=3) or training group (TG, n=3). Investigators used the SkiergTM to simulate a unilateral, overhand throwing exercise, performed by the most affected arm. Following PT guidelines, training took place three times per week for 6 weeks. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure both passive and active strength pre- and post-training.

Results: Although no statistically significant differences were found, a remarkable trend was observed. Shoulder extension torque increased 15% (13.97 to 16.09 Newton-meters [Nm]) for TG, compared to a 1% (9.77 to 9.90 Nm) increase for CG between pre- and post-tests. Similar results were observed in elbow extension (3.90 to 9.60 Nm, 7.20 to 15.5 Nm, for CG and TG). Shoulder flexion torque increased more for TG (from 2.10 to 4.07 Nm, pre and post) than for CG (1.60 to 3.07 Nm). Similar results were observed with elbow flexion. A 35% reduction of peak extension torque during passive stretching at 10 (4.93 to 3.07 Nm) and 30 deg / s (5.27 to 3.40 Nm) was observed among TG but not CG. The reduction of peak power during passive stretching indicates a reduction of spasticity.

Conclusion: Power training may facilitate improvements in strength and reductions in spasticity among individuals with CP.

Learning Areas:

Other professions or practice related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Explain the effects of power training on the strength of individuals with cerebral palsy. Explain the effects of power training on spasticity among individuals with cerebral play.

Keyword(s): Disabilities, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been conducting adapted physical activity research for the past three years and am a Certified Adapted Physical Education Specialist.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4184.0: Evidence-Based Approaches To Public Health II