Upper extremity resistance exercise with elastic bands for respiratory function in children with cerebral palsy

[Purpose] We investigated the effects of upper extremity resistance exercise with elastic bands on respiratory function in children with cerebral palsy. [Subjects and Methods] Fifteen children were divided into two groups: the experimental (n=8) and control (n=7) groups. Both groups performed general exercises for 30 minutes per session, two times a week during the intervention period. The experimental group performed an additional upper extremity resistance exercise with elastic bands for 20–30 minutes per session, twice weekly for 8 weeks. Pulmonary function, and respiratory muscle and grip strength were measured before and after the exercise. [Results] There was no significant difference in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, the ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity, and peak expiratory flow before and after the intervention in either group. The increment of maximal expiratory pressure was significantly greater in the experimental group, compared with the control group. In addition, grip strength was significantly increased in the experimental group after the intervention than before. [Conclusion] We found that upper extremity resistance exercise with elastic bands has a positive effect on expiration and improves grip strength in children with cerebral palsy.