Aerobic capacity, muscle strength and power of children and adolescents with chronic disease: characterization and treatment

Abstract

Pediatric physiotherapy have a focus in evaluation and treatment related with neuromotor behavior, especially in Brazil. However, the patients with neurological diseases show chronic and progressive disabilities of the motor skills and lower quality of life. These alterations are developed in consequence of primary or secondary impairment of skeletal muscle tissue. The physical inactivity, as a secondary impairment, increases the risk of development of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (including Obesity), the energy expenditure and fatigue. Different from adults with chronic diseases, the pediatric approach still has limitations considering the choice of exercises modalities and dosages, which must be related to gender, age, sexual maturation of patients and muscles involved in a exactly task. These limitations are increased when the patient present hind limb disabilities and a progressive disease. Therefore, the aerobic capacity and muscular performance of children and adolescents with spina bifida, muscular dystrophies and sensory-motor polyneuropathies should be investigated focusing in upper limb strategies. This research project aims to develop and validate instruments for the evaluation of aerobic capacity and muscle fatigue that can be used in a clinical. Posteriorly, therapeutic training will be developed considering each disease. (AU)