Relationship Between Isokinetic Strength Training and Gross Motor Function in Children with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

Background: Spastic diaplegia is amongst the most widely recognized clinical subtypes of cerebral palsy due to a number of deficits; including spasticity, muscle weakness, poor muscle control, impaired balance. poor balance control is one of the most contributing factors for poor gait. Aims: To correlate the isokinetic strength training and Gross motor functions in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Materials and Methods: A single prospective clinical, randomized control trial with a correlational design. Thirty-two children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy were selected from both sexes, their age range was 6 to 12 years old, they were randomly assigned into two equal groups: control group (A): received traditional physiotherapy program only. Study group(B): received Isokinetic strength training program of the upper and lower limbs in addition to the traditional physiotherapy program. Evaluation was done before and after 12 weeks of treatment using: gross motor function measure (GMFCS); to assess gross motor function, pediatric balance scale, to assess balance, and kinovea software, to assess gait. Results: There was a positive correlation between isokinetic strength training and guess motor function in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (r= 0.698 and p<0.05). Conclusions: isokinetic muscle strength training of the upper and lower limbs is related to gross motor functions in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy demonstrating that the higher muscle strength, the higher the improvement in functional abilities as in standing and walking.