Exercise and physical activity are important for the health and well-being of everyone, yet this area is overlooked for people with cerebral palsy.
Too often, people with cerebral palsy from the early years through adulthood are forced to the sidelines and/or not encouraged when it comes to school sports and recess, community exercise and fitness programming, represented on sports teams or welcomed in a variety of recreational and exercise settings. The Cerebral Palsy Foundation is working to change the status quo by raising awareness, collaborating with stakeholders, schools, institutions, policy makers and other experts to level the playing field.
Participating in a favorite sport or fitness game is often a fundamental part of childhood and a way for children to make friends, learn to work as part of a team, learn independence, get exercise, and of course, have fun! For a child with cerebral palsy, it’s important to encourage interests and skills as early as possible – including the physical activity and the belief that a person with cerebral palsy can be active for life.
For adolescent and adult with cerebral palsy, there are a wide range of activities and interests to be involved in that will improve both mental and physical health as well as prevent physical decline that is associated with sedentary lifestyles. The Cerebral Palsy Foundation is committed to helping people with cerebral palsy become active for life and at every GMFCS level. Don’t stay on the sidelines! Let us help you get involved and get healthier.
Taking part in physical activity, adaptive sports and exercise can help maintain and improve physical health, but that’s not all. Getting active can offer many mental, emotional, and social benefits too including:
• Improved quality of life, including mood and well-being
• Increased muscle strength, bone health and stamina
• Reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Improved social life and family life
In addition to several research-based exercise, sports and fitness initiatives, the Cerebral Palsy Foundation created a free downloadable fitness “challenge app” in 2018 called Evolve 21 that generated a community of over 5000 users in less than 8 weeks. We’re currently updating the app to make it the premier fitness app for people with cerebral palsy and individuals of all abilities. It will include the latest evidence for adaptive training for individuals with cerebral palsy and be ready for re-release in late 2022 in partnership with leading experts in the field.
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Tips & Advice
Paralympic Sports for Cerebral Palsy Athletes -
Tips & Advice
Tips For Getting the Right Amount of Exercise -
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Expert Videos
The Arts & Disabilities Too often, people with disabilities are relegated to being passive when it comes to the arts.
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Episode 2: Cerebral Palsy Health. Mary Gannotti, PhD, PT: Fitness, Health and Function Across the Lifespan for Individuals with Cerebral Palsy In this episode, Mary Gannotti, PhD, PT, discusses fitness, health and function across the lifespan for individuals with cerebral palsy. -
Episode 6: Cerebral Palsy Health. Theresa Sukal Moulton, PT, DPT, PhD and David Black: Frame Running an Adaptive Recreational Sport for Individuals with Cerebral Palsy Frame Running is becoming increasingly popular as a recreational and competitive sport for individuals with cerebral palsy across all GMFCS levels. Tune in to learn more!
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Town Hall
New Horizons Virtual Town Hall 3- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab & Northwestern University in Chicago Our 3rd Virtual Town Hall featured experts from the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab and Northwestern University in Chicago. This multi-disciplinary panel discussion highlights the latest updates in care of...
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RaceRunning training improves stamina and promotes skeletal muscle hypertrophy in young individuals with cerebral palsy The purpose of this study was to pilot an intervention of a sport-based youth development program modified for accessibility for children and adolescents with movement challenges, with the goal of community-based running participation using running frames.
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Support Tools
Tools To Create Your Own Frame Running Program Frame Running has become a popular para-sport around the world and its popularity is picking up speed here in the US! Thanks to our friends at CPISRA, who have created the tools to help create local...
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Are you looking for an opportunity for your child to improve their walking ability? Is your child between the ages of 10-17? Top researchers are recruiting for an intensive exercise training program which aims to help improve walking ability. Learn More Now! -
Recruiting Now! New Vibration Study for Kids! Do you have a child with cerebral palsy who can walk independently and is 5 to 11 years old? Researchers need families to join a new research study to learn about ways to improve muscle strength and balance.
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RAD Frame Runner The RAD RaceRunner is a three-wheeled running bike with chest support. It is designed for children and adults with balance or mobility challenges to achieve their exercising goals -be it recreation, competition, or rehabilitation.
You have strengthening, but power training is really training how quickly you can generate a certain amount of force.