Effect of resistance and aerobic exercises on bone mineral density, muscle strength and functional ability in children with hemophilia

Children with hemophilia are at risk for reduced bone mineral density [BMD], muscle strength and functional ability as a result of reduced leisure-time activity and less involvement in intense activities. So, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance and aerobic exercise program on BMD, muscle strength and functional ability in children with hemophilia. Thirty boys with hemophilia A ranging in age from 10 to 14 years had participated in this study. They were assigned randomly into two equal groups [control and study groups]. Control group received a designed physical therapy program and aerobic exercise in the form of treadmill training, while the study group received the same program as the control group in addition to resistance training program in the form of bicycle ergometer training and weight resistance. Both groups received treatment sessions three times per week for three successive months. BMD, muscle strength of knee flexors and extensors and functional ability were evaluated before and after the 3 months of treatment program. There was no significant difference between both groups in the pre-treatment mean values of all measured variables. Significant improvement was observed in BMD, knee extensors and flexors strength, and functional ability in the study group when comparing pre and post treatment measurements. There was a significant improvement in functional ability of the control group. Significant difference was also observed between both groups when comparing the post treatment measurements in favor of the study group. Based on obtained data, it can be concluded that, resistance and aerobic exercise training program is effective in increasing BMD, muscle strength and functional ability in children with hemophilia

Effect of whole-body vibration on muscle strength, spasticity, and motor performance in spastic diplegic cerebral palsy children

Spastic diplegia is a common form of cerebral palsy [CP] and is characterized by spasticity and muscle weakness of both lower limbs resulting in decreased walking ability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of whole body vibration [WBV] training on muscle strength, spasticity, and motor performance in spastic diplegic cerebral palsy children after 12-weeks treatment. Thirty spastic diplegic CP children [8-12 years] were randomized to two equal groups, control group and WBV group. The control group received a selected physical therapy treatment program for spastic diplegic CP and the WBV group received the same program in addition to WBV training. Measurements of isometric strength of knee extensors, spasticity, walking speed, walking balance and gross motor function were performed before and after 12 weeks of the treatment program. Isometric strength of knee extensors, spasticity and the walking speed were significantly improved only in the WBV group [P < 0.05]. Growth motor function measure-88 [GMFM-88] [D%] was significantly increased [P < 0.05] in both groups in favor of the WBV group and GMFM-88 [E%] was significantly increased [P < 0.05] only in the WBV group, while walking balance did not change significantly in either group The obtained results suggest that 12-weeks' intervention of whole-body vibration training can increase knee extensors strength and decrease spasticity with beneficial effects on walking speed and motor development in spastic diplegic CP children