Abstract
Purpose
To investigate enjoyment and specific benefits of a swimming intervention for youth with cerebral palsy (CP).
Methods
Fourteen youth with CP (aged 7 to 17 years, GMFCS I to III) were randomly assigned to control and swimming intervention groups. Walking ability, swimming skills, fatigue and pain were assessed at baseline, after a 10-week swimming intervention (2/week, 40-50 minutes) or control period, after a 5-week follow-up and, for the intervention group, after a 20-week follow-up period. The level of enjoyment of each swim-session was assessed.
Results
Levels of enjoyment were high. Walking and swimming skills improved significantly more in the swimming than control group (p = .043; p = .002), whilst fatigue and pain did not increase. After 20 weeks gains in walking and swimming skills were retained (p = .017; p = .016).
Conclusion
We recommend a swimming program for youth with CP to complement a physical therapy program.
To investigate enjoyment and specific benefits of a swimming intervention for youth with cerebral palsy (CP).
Methods
Fourteen youth with CP (aged 7 to 17 years, GMFCS I to III) were randomly assigned to control and swimming intervention groups. Walking ability, swimming skills, fatigue and pain were assessed at baseline, after a 10-week swimming intervention (2/week, 40-50 minutes) or control period, after a 5-week follow-up and, for the intervention group, after a 20-week follow-up period. The level of enjoyment of each swim-session was assessed.
Results
Levels of enjoyment were high. Walking and swimming skills improved significantly more in the swimming than control group (p = .043; p = .002), whilst fatigue and pain did not increase. After 20 weeks gains in walking and swimming skills were retained (p = .017; p = .016).
Conclusion
We recommend a swimming program for youth with CP to complement a physical therapy program.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 162–169 |
Journal | Pediatric Physical Therapy |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2016 |
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Martine Verheul
- Moray House School of Education and Sport - Senior Lecturer
- Academy of Sport
- Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences
Person: Academic: Research Active