BeFAST or BeSTRONG: Brain Change After Fun Athletic Sports-skill Training or Brain Change After Strength TRaining Focusing ON Gait
BeFAST or BeSTRONG: Brain Change After Fun Athletic Sports-skill Training or Brain Change After Strength TRaining Focusing ON Gait
The purpose of this study is to compare a motor learning (ML)-based gait-related training
 intervention to a functional lower limb strength training intervention, with a concurrent
 evaluation of functional, neural and participation outcomes for children and youth with
 Cerebral Palsy (CP).

 This study is a two-group, parallel arm RCT in which twenty-two children with CP in GMFCS
 Levels I-II will be randomly allocated to a 6-week, 16 session program of: (i) ML based gait
 training or (ii) lower limb strength training. Outcome assessments occur pre/post/4-months
 post-intervention.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  7-17 years old

 -  diagnosis of hemiplegic or diplegic Cerebral Palsy

 -  GMFCS Level I-II

 -  able to follow testing and motor imagery instructions

 -  able to actively participate in a minimum of 45 minutes (min) of physical activity

 -  show evidence of independent dorsiflexion of both ankles

 -  able to commit to attendance of sessions two to three times weekly for six weeks.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  orthopaedic surgery within the last 9 months (muscle) or 12 months (bone)

 -  Botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) injections to lower limb in the last 4 months

 -  inability to put BTX-A on hold during trial

 -  severe spasticity (may be a contraindication for neuroimaging procedures)

 -  seizure disorder (if not fully controlled by medication for 12 months)

 -  not prepared or unable to discontinue any formal lower limb therapy intervention or
 physical activity program during the trial

 -  involved in another intervention study

 -  standard MRI contraindications (e.g., magnetic implants, inability to lay still,
 claustrophobia etc.)