Community-Based Resistance Intensive Personal Training (RIPT) Program for Youth with Cerebral Palsy: A Prospective Cohort Pilot Study

AIMS: To evaluate the effects of a community-based power training program on goal performance, satisfaction, and attainment; gross motor function (gait speed and walking capacity); and anaerobic capacity in youth with CP. METHODS: In this pre-post prospective cohort pilot study, youth with CP participated in a goal-focused, 12-week, community-based power-training program delivered by physical therapists, fitness professionals, and student volunteers. Outcomes were measured using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Goal Attainment Scaling, the 10-meter walk test, the 1-min walk test, and the Muscle Power Sprint Test. Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests were used to evaluate pre-post differences and effect sizes were calculated. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences and large effect sizes were observed for all outcomes, with the exception of the 1-min walk test. CONCLUSIONS: Community-based power training programs show promise as an alternative approach to individual interventions provided in clinical settings for enhancing goal related outcomes, gross motor function, and anaerobic capacity in youth with CP. This approach has the potential to increase participation in community-based exercise and improve physical health of youth with disabilities.