EXECP-project

Effects of a tailored exercise therapy intervention on physical capacity and function, neuromuscular mechanisms and cardiometabolic risk factors of children and young adults with cerebral palsy

PI: Taija Juutinen Finni                                                                                                           SUOMEKSI

Researchers: Janne Avela, Tiina Parviainen, Harri Piitulainen, Auli Teittinen, Reija Alen, Taru Lintunen, Eero Haapala, MSCA fellow Francesco Cenni, Ph.D. student Pedro Valadao, Ph.D. student Alfredo Ruiz Egea.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a term for a number of conditions that affect movement and co-ordination due to abnormal development of the brain or damage caused before, during or after birth. CP leads to a range of symptoms, including muscle stiffness or weakness, random and uncontrolled body movements and balance and coordination problems. EXECP-project examines the effects of an individualised exercise programme on gait performance, muscle strength, neuromuscular characteristics such as corticospinal excitability, proprioceptive processing, joint range of motion, daily physical activity level and cardiometabolic risk factors. (http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN69044459)

NEW in 2021: Dr. Francesco Cenni received funding from MSCA-IF for I-SENS-project that is a spin-off of EXECP.

NEW in 2022: EXECP received a 3-year funding from Ministry of Education and Culture for analysis of the comprehensive data and for dissemination. 

Publications:

Pedro Valadao; Harri Piitulainen; Eero Haapala; Tiina Parviainen; Janne Avela; Taija Finni (2021) Exercise intervention protocol in children and young adults with cerebral palsy: the effects of strength, flexibility and gait training on physical performance, neuromuscular mechanisms and cardiometabolic risk factors (EXECP.) BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation. Feb 26; 13(1):17.

Ruiz A., Rintala P., Ng, K., Kaseva K., & Finni T (2021). Physical activity intention in Finnish youth with cerebral palsy- results from a physical activity intervention: An application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation 17(6): 370–378.

Pedro Valadao; Lynn Bar-On, Francesco Cenni, Harri Piitulainen, Janne Avela, Taija Finni (2022) Revising the stretch reflex threshold method to measure stretch hyperreflexia in cerebral palsy. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biomechology 23 Nov. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2022