Creating a Newfound Lens for the Management of Cerebral Palsy (CP): What Clinicians and Medical and Health Professionals Should Know About Adaptive Fitness and Sport

Jess Silver

A diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy (CP) is both complex and multifaceted for every person who is part of what is often referred to as the care pathway; it is complex and diverse for the clinicians to understand and to suggest interventions for management, because it is uniquely presented in each individual, and it is even more challenging for the individual with the condition to navigate through as well as for their support system. One of the aspects that make knowing what to do when, in order to manage it, most challenging is, the fact that conventional approaches to therapy measure specific motor and muscular function and milestones in accordance with the GMFCS 1-5 scale and in addition to this in North America, and specifically Canada; the system of health governance puts limitations on access to therapies and technological interventions. One of the most important ideas that one should understand in order to manage CP across lifespan is to take a broad-spectrum approach to learning of interventions and further to that, applying them. 

Recent research has shown that there is an increased level of attention that needs to be allocated to the patient's personal experience, needs and perspective in order to successfully help them learn about different and new approaches to managing CP. A qualitative study from the Journal of Disability and Rehabilitation entitled Perspectives of children and adolescents with Cerebral Palsy about involvement as research partners by C. Cavens, C. Imms et al. stated that, “Children and adolescents with cerebral palsy have the opportunity to influence research that directly impacts them. They also are interested in research partnerships that foster flexibility and open communication.” 

Understanding adaptive fitness and sport as novel ways to manage CP, presents the individual with more diverse ways to be active, promotes independence and allows for them to excel at other things in their life. It’s important first to define adaptive fitness both for individuals and clinicians and practitioners, in order to meaningfully understand its role in amplifying quality of life. Practicing adaptive fitness can be defined as an approach to exercise that considers and accommodates the needs of individuals with varying abilities, whether the limitations are physical, cognitive, or multifactorial in nature. 

It is most effective in addressing varying needs when it is helpful to be done consistently in conjunction with other therapeutic treatments (physiotherapy, chiropractic care, massage or FST and sport skill- based training.)

The fundamental overarching principle that clinicians and medical professionals should apply to how they perceive the management of CP, is that it is crucial for the programming to both address the individual’s limitations to achieve progressive improvement, but also to challenge the client or participant to engage in multi-plane movements, and aspects of mental toughness techniques, when applicable. 

Individuals that have CP should aim to understand and approach managing their condition by combining different therapeutic and medical approaches. Engaging in adaptive fitness one would be able to: 



• Work with a professional on individualized goals that are both skill and functional movement based 
• Be in an environment where they would be challenged, both by exercise equipment and through the programming 
• Learn of fundamentals to building mental toughness and resilience that are central to developing physical improvement and building increased independence. 

The most important aspect of Cerebral Palsy for both a clinician, therapeutic practitioner, and the individual alike to know, is that the condition is not neurodegenerative but the way that it is presented is different for everyone and it changes over time as an individual ages. In order for one to have the highest, most fulfilling quality of life, it is most important to have or to develop a strong and cohesive network of multidisciplinary professionals that are qualified in working with them for rehabilitation and adaptive fitness. The concept that adaptive fitness presents one with a more diverse and engaging way to manage CP is what also creates the opportunity for developing meaningful potential throughout life.