The Effects of Balance and Respiratory Muscle Training on Functional Capacity, Balance, Respiratory Function and Respiratory Muscle Strength in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a permanent, non-progressive disorder in which the immature brain is affected by various causes in the prenatal, perinatal or postnatal period. Damage to the central nervous system in children with CP causes motor problems, balance and postural disorders. It is reported in the literature that the effects of balance and the effects of balance exercises in children with CP, similarly respiratory effects were also investigated. Balance and balance responses are especially important in children with ambulatory SP and balance problems are seen in most CP children. Insufficient control of respiratory muscles affects pulmonary ventilation negatively in children with CP. However, it seems that CP has limited articles in which respiratory muscle strength is investigated, and also limited studies involving inspiratory muscle training. Inspiratory muscle training is shown to improve pulmonary function and diaphragm (which is one of the core muscles) strength and have an effect on balance. Studies showed that respiratory muscle strength in children with CP is lower than in children with normal development. Nevertheless, there was no study showing the effects of respiratory muscle training on functional capacity and balance in children with CP. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of balance training and inspiratory muscle training on functional capacity, balance, respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength in children with CP.