Lee, J. H., Sung, I. Y., & Yoo, J. Y. (2008). Therapeutic effects of strengthening exercise on gait function of cerebral palsy. Disability and Rehabilitation, 30(19), 1439-1444.

Researchers in this study were interested in whether there is a connection between strength training and the improvement of muscle strength and tone, as well as gait function, in people with cerebral palsy. A total of 16 participants, between the ages of 4 and 12 years, were recruited for the study and randomly assigned into either the control group (n=8) or the experimental group (n=9). A 5-week strengthening program (3 times a week for 1 hour) was assigned to the experimental group, focusing only on the lower limb muscle groups, while conventional physical therapy was provided for the control group. All participants were examined for muscle tone and strength of lower limb, Gross Motor Function Measure, lateral step up, squat to stand, and three-dimensional gait analysis at pre-training, post-training, and 6-week follow up. Although it generally resulted in the experimental group scoring higher or better to that of the control group, analysis did not demonstrate a significant increase of strength in the major muscle groups of the lower limbs between the two groups. However, since the program did show functional improvements of the lower limbs, the strengthening exercise program could be used to help improve gait functions of individuals with spastic cerebral palsy.

For the full abstract, go to http://www.ncpad.org/655/2634/Therapeutic~effects~of~strengthening~exercise~on~gait~
function~of~cerebral~palsy~.