THE EFFECTS OF A PROGRAM OF SWIMMING AND AQUATIC EXERCISE ON FLEXIBILITY IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Abstract

Abstract:

The objective of this study is to determine the effects of the applied program of swimming and aquatic exercise on improving the flexibility of children with cerebral palsy. The participants in the study were 15 children with cerebral palsy, aged 6 to 17, at GMFCS levels I, II and III. The applied exercise program comprised swimming and aquatic exercise. In the swimming program, the Halliwick method was used, as well as exercises for the backstroke, crawl and breaststroke. The aquatic exercise program included exercises for improving leg muscle flexibility and strength, and walking exercises. The exercise program lasted for 12 weeks with a frequency of three times a week and a class duration of 60 minutes. Based on the results of the tests for the assessment of flexibility or range of motion, 6 variables were obtained. The results indicate that the applied program contributed to a statistically significant increase in the range of flexion and abduction motions at the shoulder joint at the level of significance p=0.00. Regarding the range of extension and abduction motions at the hip joint, as well as dorsal flexion, improvement was also noted, however without statistical significance. Based on the analysis of the results obtained, we conclude that the applied program of swimming and aquatic exercise was efficient in the sense of increasing flexibility or the range of flexion and abduction motions at the shoulder joint, whereas the program requires modification to increase flexibility of the leg joints.

Key words: aquatic exercise, swimming, range of motion, effects, cerebral palsy