Cycling participation for children and young people with cerebral palsy

Todd, Gabreila, Visser, Karen Susan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6409-7492, Pickering, Dawn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4779-5616 and Horrocks, Lyn 2013. Cycling participation for children and young people with cerebral palsy. Presented at: European Academy of Childhood Disability, Newcastle, UK, 10-12 October 2013.

Preview

PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version Download (9MB) | Preview

Abstract

Introduction: Children and Young People (C&YP) with Cerebral Palsy(CP) have limited opportunities for movement. Physiotherapists can adapt cycling and this may reduce the muscle weakness present in C&YP with CP. This mixed methods study explored cycling participation in C&YP with CP. Participants and Methods: Cardiff University School of Healthcare Studies Ethics Committee provided ethical approval. Thirty five C&YP (2–17y) participated: non-cycling control group (n=18) and cycling group (n=17). The cycle group participated in six outdoor cycling sessions, using individually adapted trikes. Families and C&YP were interviewed and cycling diaries kept and thematically analysed with NVivo. Bilateral quadriceps and hamstrings strength measures were taken before and after the intervention period for both groups using the Hand-Held Dynamometer. Results were analysed using analysis of covariance. Results: Thematic analysis revealed perceived improvements in participation, pedalling skills, cycling speed and steering. Strength analysis revealed no statistically significant difference between groups, although increased strength trends were observed for the cycling group: (Quadriceps increased by: Right: 12.14 Newton(N)± 6.5; Left:15.56_ 13.87N; Hamstrings by: Right:5.19_3.5N; Left:4.23_5.94N). Trends of decreased strength were observed in the control group. Conclusion: Adapted cycling has potential social and physical health benefits. Observed improvements in cycling skills and strength trends deserve further investigation with larger sample sizes over longer terms. C&YP without freedom to move lack access to outdoor activities. Physiotherapists can advocate cycling transition, as it reduces dependency on physiotherapy provision and is perceived to improve quality of life.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Subjects:	R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ101 Child Health. Child health services
Funders:	Nancie Finnie Charitable Trust
Related URLs:	Organisation
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	11 Dec 2022 09:34
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/51947

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item