A COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF PLYOMETRIC TRAINING & STRENGTHENING EXERCISE ON GROSS MOTOR FUNCTION & QUALITY OF LIFE IN CHILDREN WITH HEMIPLEGIC CP: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background:

Hemiplegic CP is connected to impaired gross motor function, muscle weakness, and reduced quality of life (QOL). Although strengthening exercises are widely used in rehabilitation, evidence comparing their effectiveness with plyometric training is still restricted.

Methods:

A comparative study was carried out at Santosh college of Occupational therapy involving 48 children aged 8–14 years with hemiplegic CP were divided into two groups: Group A (plyometric training, n=24) & Group B (strengthening exercises, n=24). Both groups got supervised treatment for 30 minutes, 3 times per week, for 3 months. GMFM-88 and Peds QL were assessed before and after the intervention.

Results:

Baseline traits were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). Post-intervention, both Group A and Group B demonstrated significant improvements in gross motor function (POST-GMFM-88) and quality of life (POST-Peds QL) (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Both plyometric and strengthening exercise programs effectively improved gross motor function and QOL in hemiplegic CP children. However, plyometric training resulted in significantly greater functional and QOL gains, suggesting that it may be a more effective rehabilitation approach for this population.