CAN-flip: A Pilot Gymnastics Program for Children With Cerebral Palsy

in Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly

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Olivia Cook Brock University

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Gail Frost Brock University

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Donna Twose Niagara Children’s Center

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Linda Wallman Niagara Children’s Center

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Bareket Falk Brock University

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Victoria Galea McMaster University

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Allan Adkin Brock University

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Panagiota Klentrou Brock University

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/APAQ.2015-0026
Keywords:
neuromuscular activation; strength; quality function measure; range of motion; balance
In Print:
Volume 32: Issue 4
Page Range:
349–370
Restricted access

This pilot study examined whether an adapted gymnastics program, CAN-flip, could be a feasible activity for children with cerebral palsy (CP) leading to improvements in muscle fitness, motor performance, and physical self-perception. Four girls and 1 boy (9.8 ± 1.3 yr) with CP participated in this multiple-baseline acrosssubjects design and were randomly assigned to start either the 6-wk gymnastics or the 6-wk control period. Muscle strength, neuromuscular activation, range of motion, gross motor performance, balance, and physical self-perception were assessed at baseline, after the first 6-wk period, and at the conclusion of the study. The gymnastics program comprised two 1-hr individualized classes per week. All participants were able to complete the gymnastics classes without injury and showed improvement in specific gymnastics skills. In addition, 3 of the 5 participants registered for regular gymnastics classes after the study, demonstrating the program’s usability as a link to inclusive gymnastic classes.

Cook, Frost, Falk, Adkin, and Klentrou are with the Dept. of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada. Twose and Wallman are with the Niagara Children’s Center, St. Catharines, ON, Canada. Galea is with the Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.

Address author correspondence to Panagiota Klentrou at nklentrou@brocku.ca
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