The EXECP study investigates the effects of individually designed physical rehabilitation on physical functioning and the underlying neuromuscular mechanisms and risk factors for arterial disease in children and young adults with CP. The exercise program has been designed taking into account the physical activity recommendations for people with CP ().
The aim of the study is to find out what the effects of exercise intervention are:
Males and females aged 9-24 years with CP disability (di/hemiplegia, GMFCS 1-3) and their sex- and age-matched typically developing (TD) peers were recruited for the study. For participants with CP disability, the study included two baseline measurement batteries (Pre1, Pre2) separated by a three-month control period. They then participated in three months of progressive, individualized exercise intervention, after which the measurements were repeated (Post1). In addition, follow-up measurements (Post2) were performed three months after the post-intervention measurement to assess the persistence of the exercise effects. Participants in the TD control group were measured twice every three months. They did not participate in the exercise intervention. The measurements were performed between 2017 and 2020.
Figure 1: Design of the EXECP study. Participants in the CP group were measured four times and the typically developing (TC) controls were measured twice, each measurement separated by there months.
The exercise program included a variety of strength, flexibility and walking exercises. In addition to supervised exercises 2-3 times a week, participants received a manual treadmill to take home for daily walking exercise. The full exercise program used in the study can be found from
The Ministry of Education and Culture provided funding to analyze the results of the EXECP study and disseminate the information. We are currently writing several scientific papers on, for example, spasticity, cardiometabolic risk, and physical activity. In particular, we are looking at different methods of measuring muscle stretch reflex hypertrophy and increased muscle stiffness, and we aim to clarify the contribution of neural and muscle mechanical factors to the increased resistance to stretching in people with CP.
With the funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture, we will launch a website in 2024 that will compile information from the research. The website will include information about the implementation of the exercise intervention, good practices, and research results. All materials will be freely available for planning and implementing physical activity training.
The I-SENS sub-study received funding from the EU MSCA Individual Fellowship grant (2021-2023) and continued measurements in 2022. In this study, postdoctoral researcher Francesco Cenni investigates how changes in ankle skeletal and musculoskeletal systems, postural and motor function caused by CP injury affect walking ability. Physical activity questionnaire data was also collected to investigate the possible long-term effects of the EXECP intervention on physical activity and related factors. Participants in the previous part of the study with CP and their typically developing controls were invited to participate.
