Presenter Information

Joel Licea, LSUSHC
Noel Moreau, LSUHSC

Location

LSU Health Science Center - New Orleans

Event Website

https://alliedhealth.lsuhsc.edu/admin/sahpresearchday.aspx

Document Type

Event

Start Date

8-4-2024 2:05 PM

End Date

8-4-2024 2:20 PM

Description

Introduction: Muscle power has shown to be positively correlated to functional walking capacity and more

impaired than muscle strength and in children with cerebral palsy (CP). We hypothesize that Power

Training combined with interval Treadmill Training (PT³) will significantly improve muscle performance in

children with CP compared to traditional Strength Training and Traditional Locomotor Treadmill Training

(STT).

Purpose: The purpose of this secondary analysis was to compare the specificity of training effects of PT³

and STT on peak torque and power produced across the force-velocity spectrum.

Methods: Thirty-eight children with CP participated in this study (mean age 13.5 ± 2.4 years; range 10-17

years; 20 male, 18 female; GMFCS level I=10, II=24, III=4). Participants were randomized to either 8

weeks of STT (n = 18) or an equal dosage of PT3 (n = 20). Isokinetic dynamometry at 30, 60, 90 and

120 deg/s was used to assess knee extensor peak torque and average power at baseline, postintervention,

at 2-mo and 6-mo post-intervention. Change relative to baseline was used for statistical

analysis.

Results: No between-group differences were observed in peak torque and average power across

speeds. Significant within-group increases in average power were observed after PT3 for 60deg/s at 2-

mo post (p = 0.04) and at 6-mo post-intervention for 90 and 120deg/s (p = 0.03). Significant increases in

peak torque at 120deg/s were also observed after PT3 at 6-mo post intervention (p = 0.02).

Discussion: Results suggests that a combined intervention approach targeting muscle power deficits

specifically improves muscle performance in children with CP with better retention of effects at 6 months

post intervention compared to STT.

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Apr 8th, 2:05 PM Apr 8th, 2:20 PM

Effects of Power Training combined with interval Treadmill Training (PT3) on muscle performance in children with CP

LSU Health Science Center - New Orleans

Introduction: Muscle power has shown to be positively correlated to functional walking capacity and more

impaired than muscle strength and in children with cerebral palsy (CP). We hypothesize that Power

Training combined with interval Treadmill Training (PT³) will significantly improve muscle performance in

children with CP compared to traditional Strength Training and Traditional Locomotor Treadmill Training

(STT).

Purpose: The purpose of this secondary analysis was to compare the specificity of training effects of PT³

and STT on peak torque and power produced across the force-velocity spectrum.

Methods: Thirty-eight children with CP participated in this study (mean age 13.5 ± 2.4 years; range 10-17

years; 20 male, 18 female; GMFCS level I=10, II=24, III=4). Participants were randomized to either 8

weeks of STT (n = 18) or an equal dosage of PT3 (n = 20). Isokinetic dynamometry at 30, 60, 90 and

120 deg/s was used to assess knee extensor peak torque and average power at baseline, postintervention,

at 2-mo and 6-mo post-intervention. Change relative to baseline was used for statistical

analysis.

Results: No between-group differences were observed in peak torque and average power across

speeds. Significant within-group increases in average power were observed after PT3 for 60deg/s at 2-

mo post (p = 0.04) and at 6-mo post-intervention for 90 and 120deg/s (p = 0.03). Significant increases in

peak torque at 120deg/s were also observed after PT3 at 6-mo post intervention (p = 0.02).

Discussion: Results suggests that a combined intervention approach targeting muscle power deficits

specifically improves muscle performance in children with CP with better retention of effects at 6 months

post intervention compared to STT.

https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/ahrd/2024/2024/19