Why exercise physiology matters for cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy affects movement, muscle tone and coordination due to brain changes that occur early in development. While the underlying brain injury doesn't progress, the physical effects of CP can worsen over time without adequate physical activity and strength maintenance — a phenomenon sometimes called "secondary aging" in CP.
Regular exercise physiology helps prevent and address these secondary effects by:
- Building and maintaining muscle strength — particularly important for ambulatory function and preventing contractures
- Improving cardiovascular fitness — people with CP often have lower fitness levels due to the energy cost of movement
- Maintaining mobility and range of motion
- Reducing fatigue — a major concern for adults with CP
- Supporting healthy weight — obesity risk is higher in CP due to reduced mobility
- Improving walking efficiency and reducing falls risk
- Supporting participation in school, work and community activities
What exercise modalities work best for CP?
The best exercise for CP depends on the type and severity of the condition, but commonly includes:
- Resistance training — progressive strength training is safe and effective for all CP types and significantly improves function
- Hydrotherapy — particularly valuable for people with spasticity, as warm water reduces muscle tone and allows movement that's harder on land
- Aerobic exercise — walking, cycling (including adapted cycling), swimming — improving cardiovascular health and endurance
- Balance and gait training — targeting the walking and balance difficulties characteristic of many CP types
Hydrotherapy for CP: Warm water exercise is one of the most effective modalities for people with cerebral palsy. The buoyancy reduces the work of movement against gravity, the warmth reduces spasticity, and the environment allows a range of movement not possible on land. Exercare provides hydrotherapy across south-east Melbourne.
CP exercise physiology in south-east Melbourne
Exercare works with NDIS participants with cerebral palsy across south-east Melbourne. Plan-managed and self-managed. We come to you — at home, gym or hydrotherapy pool.
Written by the Exercare team. Exercare provides mobile exercise physiology for cerebral palsy under the NDIS across south-east Melbourne. Start your NDIS intake →