An innovative cycling exergame to promote cardiovascular fitness and health-related quality of life in youth with cerebral palsy

Objective: To evaluate the effects of an internet-platform exergame cycling programme on cardiovascular fitness and health-related quality of life (HQL) of youth with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: In this prospective case series, eight youth with bilateral spastic CP, Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) level III, completed a six-week exergame programme. Outcomes were obtained at baseline and post-intervention. Primary outcome measures were the GMFCS III-specific shuttle run test (SRT-III) (for cardiovascular fitness) and the ‘Physical Activities and Health’ domain of the KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire (for HQL). Secondary outcomes included the 6-Minute Walk Test, Wingate Arm Cranking Test, and anthropomorphic measurements. Results: There were significant improvements in the SRT-III (t=-2.5, p=0.04, d=0.88) and the ‘Physical Activities and Health’ domain of the KIDSCREEN-52 (t=-2.8, p=0.03, d=1) postintervention. There were no significant changes in secondary outcomes. Conclusion: Measures of cardiovascular fitness and physical HQL in youth with CP improved following an exergame cycling programme.