QCPRRC’s Run4HealthCP project was profiled by ABC News this week. The article highlighted Dr Reedman and her pilot study, Run4HealthCP, which is investigating the benefits of frame running for children and young adults with cerebral palsy.
QCPRRC’s Run4HealthCP pilot study trained 12 children and young adults with cerebral palsy in frame running. The research participants would perform two 60-minute frame running sessions a week, over a 12-week period.
The results indicated an improvement in heart and lung health amongst the participants. This is significant, as people with cerebral palsy have a three-fold increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, compared to the general population. Those with cerebral palsy also have a higher risk of developing respiratory infections.
The expanded study will include an analysis of heart and lung health, as well as bone density testing. People with cerebral palsy have an increased risk of low trauma fracture.
“We really hope that the frame running trial will improve bone density and hopefully, that will prevent incidence of low trauma fracture” Dr Reedman said.
The expanded trial will recruit 100 children and young people across six sites, including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Sydney and Perth.
We are seeking children and young people with cerebral palsy who have mobility issues – ranging from those who can walk, but not run, up to those who use power wheelchairs.
If you are interested in participating in this research, please email run4healthcp@uq.edu.au.
This research is funded by a grant from the Medical Research Future Fund.
