EFFECTIVENESS OF PROGRESSIVE RESISTANCE TRAINING FOR CHILDREN WITH SPASTIC DIPLEGIC CEREBRAL PALSY

Spastic diplegic cerebral palsy is commonly associated with lower limb muscle weakness, impaired mobility, and increased spasticity, which significantly limit functional independence in children. Progressive Resistance Training (PRT) has emerged as a targeted therapeutic approach to enhance muscle strength and functional outcomes without exacerbating spasticity. This study aimed to investigate the impact of PRT on lower limb strength, mobility, and spasticity in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Children with spastic diplegia participated in a structured PRT program focusing on major lower limb muscle groups, with training intensity gradually increased according to individual capacity. Outcome measures included assessment of lower limb muscle strength,mobility-related functional performance, and spasticity using standardized clinical scales, recorded before and after the intervention period. The findings demonstrated significant improvements in lower limb strength and mobility, accompanied by a reduction or no adverse increase in spasticity levels following the PRT program. These results suggest that Progressive Resistance Training is a safe and effective intervention for improving muscular strength and functional mobility in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, thereby supporting its inclusion in comprehensive pediatric neurorehabilitation programs.