Lifelong Fitness in Ambulatory Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy I: Key Ingredients for Bone and Muscle Health

Authors

Noelle G. Moreau, Louisiana State UniversityFollow
Kathleen M. Friel, Weill Cornell MedicineFollow
Robyn K. Fuchs, Marian UniversityFollow
Sudarshan Dayanidhi, Shirley Ryan Ability LabFollow
Theresa Sukal-Moulton, Northwestern UniversityFollow
Marybeth Grant-Beuttler, Oregon Institute of TechnologyFollow
Mark D. Peterson, University of Michigan - Ann ArborFollow
Richard D. Stevenson, University of VirginiaFollow
Susan V. Duff, Chapman UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-28-2023

Abstract

Physical activity of a sufficient amount and intensity is essential to health and the prevention of a sedentary lifestyle in all children as they transition into adolescence and adulthood. While fostering a fit lifestyle in all children can be challenging, it may be even more so for those with cerebral palsy (CP). Evidence suggests that bone and muscle health can improve with targeted exercise programs for children with CP. Yet, it is not clear how musculoskeletal improvements are sustained into adulthood. In this perspective, we introduce key ingredients and guidelines to promote bone and muscle health in ambulatory children with CP (GMFCS I–III), which could lay the foundation for sustained fitness and musculoskeletal health as they transition from childhood to adolescence and adulthood. First, one must consider crucial characteristics of the skeletal and muscular systems as well as key factors to augment bone and muscle integrity. Second, to build a better foundation, we must consider critical time periods and essential ingredients for programming. Finally, to foster the sustainability of a fit lifestyle, we must encourage commitment and self-initiated action while ensuring the attainment of skill acquisition and function. Thus, the overall objective of this perspective paper is to guide exercise programming and community implementation to truly alter lifelong fitness in persons with CP.

Comments

This article was originally published in Behavioral Sciences, volume 13, in 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13070539

Recommended Citation

Moreau, N.G.; Friel, K.M.; Fuchs, R.K.; Dayanidhi, S.; Sukal-Moulton, T.; Grant-Beuttler, M.; Peterson, M.D.; Stevenson, R.D.; Duff, S.V. Lifelong Fitness in Ambulatory Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy I: Key Ingredients for Bone and Muscle Health. Behav. Sci. 2023, 13, 539. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13070539

Peer Reviewed

1

Copyright

The authors

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.