Aquatic exercise for children with cerebral palsy

2005/12/01 by Michelle Kelly, Johanna Darrah · 6 citations
Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · #Alternative medicine #Balance (ability) #Cerebral Palsy and Movement Disorders #Cerebral palsy #Family and Disability Support Research #Hydrotherapy #Infant Development and Preterm Care #Intervention (counseling) #Medicine #Nursing #Physical medicine and rehabilitation #Physical therapy #Popularity #Psychology

paper · doi:10.1111/j.1469-8749.2005.tb01091.x

openalex publication_date 2005/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21

Abstract

Exercise for children with cerebral palsy (CP) is gaining popularity among pediatric physical therapists as an intervention choice. Exercise in water appeals to children with CP because of the unique quality of buoyancy of water that reduces joint loading and impact, and decreases the negative influences of poor balance and poor postural control. In this paper, research of land‐based exercise and aquatic exercise for children with CP is reviewed. Clinically relevant considerations for aquatic exercise programming for children with CP are discussed.

Cited by

• Feasibility of Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth (ICF-CY) as a Framework for Aquatic Activities: A Scoping Review. [europepmc]
• The Impact of Aquatic Exercise on Walking Ability, Quality of Life, and Enjoyment in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review. [europepmc]
• Impact of Exercise Modalities on Upper Extremity Spasticity in an Adult with Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Case Report. [europepmc]
• An Aquatic Treadmill Alters Lower Limb Walking Dynamics in Typically Developing Children and Children with Cerebral Palsy. [europepmc]
• Correlation analysis of fundamental movement skills level and aquatic competence acquisition in children aged 4-6 years. [europepmc]
• Effects of swimming intervention on motor competence and dynamic balance in children at risk for developmental coordination disorder: a pre-post intervention study. [europepmc]

Related

• Group aquatic aerobic exercise for children with disabilities
• Physical therapy in children with cerebral palsy in Brazil: a scoping review
• Functional therapy for children with cerebral palsy: an ecological approach
• Functional change in children with cerebral palsy
• Current thinking in the health care management of children with cerebral palsy