Strength Training Patient Views

I have similar levels of CP a foot twist and my muscles in my legs are weaker. I started going to the gym a few months ago and it has helped tremendously. I went for weight loss but after the initial pain from not using my muscles in a very long time, things became easier and I can do a lot of the strength training and cardio that other people can do. I do get tired quickly but that is improving.

I have noticed an increase in muscle mass in my arms mostly. I have pretty normal upper body strength so that makes it easier

Strength training has been very useful to me as an adult. Pilates helped a lot with back pain and doing glute work, especially deadlifts, improved stability.

I (38F) haven’t run since I was a kid, but after the pandemic I noticed a decline in my mobility, so I went to PT for the 20 sessions a year that my insurance allows. My PT recommended a fitness facility run by personal trainers. The one they recommended is owned by someone with a certification in Functional Movement Screening. They focus on weight training and TRX training (stretching). I aim for 3-4x a week. It’s a game changer.

Three times a week, for several years. Brief stints off, to work around injury or needing to find a new training partner, but pretty consistent. On my rest days I’ll do some light stretches like rolling my back out with a foam roller (I work a desk job, my back is a mess!) but nothing strenuous

As for why…I find it peaceful. I have exactly one thing to worry about at a time - lift that weight, or hold that rhythm on the rowing machine, or whatever it is I’m doing - and everything else takes a back seat.

I do my routine, and every time I do it I get a bit better at it. I’m stronger. My endurance is better, and my recovery time is faster. My balance is better - there’s a direct correlation between core strength and balance. I feel good about it.

Plus blitzing myself in the gym is a really good way to channel stress or anger. I have a short temper, and this is something constructive I use to channel it.

One of the best things I’ve ever done is Activity Based Training which is very much strength training based!

But the speed increase is significant. My muscles just shortened minimally (the amount of shortening is invisible from naked eye) every time I wake up but when I started strength training, the speed of it as well as my range of motion (ROM) increased A LOT but my muscles can just "coded" how flexible will they be in their brain. I mean, it feels like there is a default length which how much faster are my muscles contracting involuntarily depends on how far are they from this default ROM. And this started when I started training legs and stretching all 5 days a week.

It’s made a phenomenal difference. My daughter's mobility, balance and strength have all improved. My daughter is stronger than children her own age without CP. It’s resulted in her being able to take part in a multitude of sports and she’s really excelling in them too. I think Strength training / S&C is going to become much more widely recognised in the CP world for its huge benefits

Oddly, I found that acupuncture delayed the onset of my foot pain and gave me an extra ~600 steps a day. I was skeptical but my neurologist recommended it, and I'm so glad he did.

In general though, I do pain prevention - wheelchair outside of the home to prevent having to go over my limits of weightbearing time as that is what triggers my pain.

I will second strength training, as I have been working with a personal trainer since April and have an increased tolerance for being on my feet since around mid-May.

Thanks! I am doing a lot of strength training also, although I am finding it harder to reduce spasticity on my left side

I honestly think you need to focus more on the fact that you pushed yourself out of your comfort zone. I (the commenter) have a similar form of CP to you and I struggle to even get into a gym. Just think to yourself, you've already broken the barrier of going, and you're already building the momentum to do exponentially better with each session!

Although I don't go to the gym, I (the commenter) have been working on my physical health for the last 3-4 years, with a focus on strengthening my right leg (the one affected by the CP) with free weights and more recently calisthenics. I found with free weights in particular, being able to focus on my weaker side by either doing more reps or more weight than my 'good' side really helped in creating more stability. I'd also say that workouts that don't directly exercise your leg will be very beneficial, i.e. those that target your hip flexors and core, for example. I've only been doing a calisthenic routine for the last 3ish months, but I have definitely noticed a difference in how secure I feel when standing or navigating uneven surfaces.

I hope this helps, and remember the first step in any endeavour is normally the hardest!