Review article
THE INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON VARIOUS DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH-RELATED FITNESS IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH CEREBRAL PALSY
Irena Klaić
Darko Milaščević
Abstract
Cerebral palsy refers to a group of non-progressive motor impairment syndromes caused by a brain lesion or anomaly in its early developmental stage. This condition is primarily associated with posture and movement disturbances, along with associated conditions and secondary problems that may significantly influence children’s overall health status and quality of life. When assessing the health status of children with cerebral palsy we should separately observe those special determinants of health that physical activity may influence positively. Therefore, we may consider the health-related fitness of these children. Research has shown that individuals with cerebral palsy must achieve and maintain higher levels of physical fitness than the general population in order to delay functional decreases due to aging and the consequences of disabling conditions. Modern medicine, kinesiology, and rehabilitation science now offer ways to prevent, maintain or improve health-related fitness in children and adults with cerebral palsy using selected concepts, programs and procedures. This overview sets forth separate observations of various determinants of morphological, muscular, motor and cardiovascular aspects of health-related fitness in children with cerebral palsy. In addition, special attention is given to therapeutically- and kinesiologically-directed programs incorporating types of physical activity that may influence changes in the above-mentioned determinants in children with cerebral palsy while, at the same time, helping children to achieve an optimal level of independence and take an active part in day-to-day activities.
Keywords
cerebral palsy; fitness; growth; strength; balance
Hrčak ID:
18956
URI
Publication date:
28.12.2007.
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