High-intensity interval training to improve fitness in children with cerebral palsy

Reidun Lauglo; Torstein Vik; Torarin Lamvik; Dorthe Stensvold; Ane-Kristine Finbråten; Trine Moholdt

doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2016-000111

High-intensity interval training to improve fitness in children with cerebral palsy

BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2016 May 9;2(1):e000111. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2016-000111. eCollection 2016.

Authors

Reidun Lauglo¹, Torstein Vik², Torarin Lamvik³, Dorthe Stensvold⁴, Ane-Kristine Finbråten², Trine Moholdt⁵

Affiliations

¹ Rosenborg Physiotherapy Clinic , Trondheim , Norway.
² Department of Laboratory Medicine , Children and Women's Health , NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology , Trondheim, Norway.
³ Department of Orthopedic Surgery , St. Olav's Hospital , Trondheim , Norway.
⁴ Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging , NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology , Trondheim , Norway.
⁵ Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Women's Clinic, St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate effects of high-intensity interval training (HIT) on aerobic exercise capacity, quality of life, and body composition in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: This was a baseline control trial. Children with CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-IV, and age 10-17 years were included. The primary outcome, peak, and submaximum oxygen uptake (VO_2peak, VO_2submax) were measured at enrolment to the study (T0), after a pretraining period (T1), and after HIT (T2). Secondary outcomes were quality of life assessed with the KINDL questionnaire, and body composition measured using whole body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning. The exercise was performed on treadmills and consisted of 24 sessions, each with a total of 16 min of exercise at >85% of maximal heart rate.

Results: 20 children were included and 6 children dropped out. VO_2peak increased by 10%, from a median of 37.3 (31.0-40.1) to 41.0 (36.6-48.5) mL/kg/min from T1 to T2 (p<0.01). VO_2submax did not change; thereby, the percentage oxygen utilisation was reduced. Body composition was unchanged. Parent-reported quality of life improved, whereas quality of life reported by the children did not improve.

Conclusions: Aerobic exercise capacity improved and per cent utilisation of VO_2max declined after HIT in children with CP. Therefore, HIT can be a time efficient way to improve maximal capacity, and increase energy reserve in this patient group.

Trial registration number: NCT00965133.

Keywords: Aerobic fitness; Exercise rehabilitation; Quality of life.

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00965133