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The formula for health and well‐being in individuals with cerebral palsy: physical activity, sleep, and nutrition
Author(s) -
Verschuren Olaf,
McPhee Patrick,
Rosenbaum Peter,
Gorter Jan Willem
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/dmcn.13212
Subject(s) - medicine , cerebral palsy , physical therapy , psychological intervention , athletes , population , health promotion , gerontology , physical fitness , disease , public health , nursing , environmental health , pathology
SIR–Good health across the lifespan is critical, but may be challenging for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). Recently, Peterson et al. explored the health concerns of adults with CP. They found not only significantly higher odds for secondary musculoskeletal issues (e.g. arthritis and joint pain), as might be expected in an aging population with CP, but also a higher prevalence of diabetes, and pulmonary and cardiovascular conditions. Consistent with the idea of aging, a recent study has shown the potential for longitudinal assessments of both traditional and novel cardiovascular disease risk indicators in adults with CP, such as arterial stiffness and endothelial function. Evidently, interventions focusing on health optimization in inviduals with CP across the lifespan are necessary. Until now, physical activity promotion has been the main focus to optimize health in clinical practice and research in this population. However, for professional athletes physical activity and exercise training are just part of their formula for success. Elite athletes know the importance of nutrition and sleep as key factors of sport success. Physical activity, sleep, and nutrition are considered the three main components that allow an individual’s body to achieve its goals related to physical activities in daily life. In 2007, the American College of Sports Medicine launched a global initiative to mobilize physicians and health care professionals to promote exercise in their practice or prescribe activities to prevent, reduce, manage, or treat diseases that impact health. This ‘Exercise Is Medicine’ initiative has received support from numerous national organizations. It is therefore no surprise that there has been an increasing interest in exercise and physical activity programs for individuals with CP. At present however, opportunities to promote health and to prevent disease are missed. In this opinion piece, we hope to motivate physicians and other health care practitioners to include, in addition to physical activity promotion, nutrition and sleep management in patient encounters.