Health-Related Effects of Real-Time Circuit Tele-Training and Gym Resistance-Aerobic Training in Ambulatory Adults with Cerebral Palsy

Objective. To compare the impacts of gym training and circuit Zoom-tele-training on health parameters in ambulatory adults with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods. Participants were divided into three groups: The Gym-group that underwent resistance-and-aerobic training program (n=12), the Zoom-group that underwent a circuit Zoom-tele-training program (n=14), and the Control-group that was on a waitlist and underwent no training (n=14). The two training gropes exercised bi-weekly for 12-week. Measurements included blood pressure, waist circumference, BMI, 15-repetition maximum-strength tests, and a LALA aerobic shuttle test analyzed using a linear mixed model. Results. Weight circumference decreased in both the Gym and Zoom groups (P=.0202 and P=.0014 respectively). In addition, in both these groups systolic (P=.018, P=.0001 respectively) and diastolic (P=.086 -marginal significance, P<.0001 respectively) blood pressure decreased, with a more pronounced reduction in the diastolic blood pressure for the Zoom-group (P=.043). Maximum aerobic speed increased (P<.0001) in the Zoom-group, with the Gym-group achieving the same speed with a lower peak heart rate (P=.0144). Strength significantly improved in the Zoom group for row (P=.05) and knee-extension (P<.0001) exercises. The Gym group improved in all strength measures (Row P<.0001, Chest-press P<.0001, and Knee-extension P<.0001). The Gym-group gains were greater than the Zoom-group in the row (P<.0001) and knee-extension (P=.005) exercises. The Control-group experienced a rise in BMI (P=.0256), waist circumference (P=.056 marginal significance), and systolic blood pressure (P=.055 marginal significance). Conclusion. Both exercise programs effectively reduced health-risk factors. The Zoom-group excelled in improving aerobic capacity and diastolic blood pressure, while the Gym-group demonstrated superior strength gains. Not exercising was detrimental to body mass, waist circumference, and blood pressure. Impact. Exercise programs enhance long life heath and prevent health deterioration in adults with cerebral palsy. Results endorse using waist circumference and blood pressure measures as valuable clinical outcomes for adults with cerebral palsy.