The Relationship of Bone Strength and Fitness Training in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Malnutrition and motor impairment are common in children with cerebral palsy. Poor nutrition and motor impairment may further contribute to fitness impairment, low bone mineralization density (BMD), low bone strength, and even fractures in children with CP. To management of bone problems is based on the understanding the pathophysiology of bone mineralization or bone strength in CP.

Multiple factors, including nutritional factors (eg. nutritional status, body composition) and non-nutritional factors (eg. fitness, immobility, use of anticonvulsants) that may potentially have an impact on bone density/strength in children with CP However, there were few studies to investigate the relationship of bone strength and fitness in children with cerebral palsy in Taiwan. We hypothesized that fitness training may potentially have an impact on bone density/strength in children with CP. The purpose of this study is to further find out the relationship of bone quality and fitness training in children with CP.

We will collect 60 children with diplegic CP. The inclusion criteria include good cognition to comprehend the command and cooperation during examination and fitness training. The exclusion criteria were following as chromosomal abnormalities, active medical conditions such as pneumonia or others, poor tolerance during assessment and fitness training.

In the first year, all subjects received clinical assessments include subjective assessment, basic data, nutritional status and fitness assessments. Laboratory assessments include body composition, bone density(lumbar spine and femur by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry ), bone strength (by calcaneal ultrasound) and bone metabolism.

In the 2nd year, were randomized into three groups. The high level training group (20 children) will receive high frequency fitness training program(Frequency:three times one week, Duration: 40 minutes).The low level training group (20 children) will receive low frequency fitness training program(Frequency: 1-2 times one week, Duration: 40 minutes). The control group (20 children) will not receive fitness training program but maintain the usual life style.