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  • Effect of RaceRunning on cardiometabolic disease risk factors and functional mobility in young people with moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy: protocol for a feasibility study

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Sports and exercise medicine
Protocol
Effect of RaceRunning on cardiometabolic disease risk factors and functional mobility in young people with moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy: protocol for a feasibility study
  1. Jennifer Ryan1,2,
  2. Nicola Theis3,
  3. Pelagia Koufaki4,
  4. Shaun Phillips5,
  5. Nana Anokye6,
  6. Georgia Andreopoulou4,
  7. Fiona Kennedy4,
  8. Kavi C Jagadamma4,
  9. Petra vanSchie7,
  10. Hannah Dines8,
  11. Marietta L van der Linden4
  1. 1College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
  2. 2Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
  3. 3School of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK
  4. 4Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, Queen Margaret University Edinburgh, Musselburgh, East Lothian, UK
  5. 5Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
  6. 6Health Economics Research Group, Brunel University, London, Middlesex, UK
  7. 7Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands
  8. 8Department of Exercise and Sports Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Jennifer Ryan; jennifer.ryan{at}brunel.ac.uk

Abstract

Introduction There is consistent evidence that people with cerebral palsy (CP) do not engage in the recommended physical activity guidelines for the general population from a young age. Participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is particularly reduced in people with CP who have a moderate-to-severe disability. RaceRunning is a growing disability sport that provides an opportunity for people with moderate-to-severe disability to participate in physical activity in the community. It allows those who are unable to walk independently to propel themselves using a RaceRunning bike, which has a breastplate for support but no pedals. The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of RaceRunning for young people with moderate-to-severe CP and the feasibility of conducting a definitive study of the effect of RaceRunning on cardiometabolic disease risk factors and functional mobility.

Methods and analysis Twenty-five young people (age 5–21 years) with CP or acquired brain injury affecting coordination will be included in this single-arm intervention study. Participants will take part in one RaceRunning session each week for 24 weeks. Outcomes assessed at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks include body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity and sedentary behaviour, functional mobility, activity competence and psychosocial impact. Adverse events will be systematically recorded throughout the 24 weeks. Focus groups will be conducted with participants and/or parents to explore their views and experiences of taking part in RaceRunning.

Ethics and dissemination Approval has been granted by Queen Margaret University Research Ethics Committee (REC) and the South East of Scotland REC. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and distributed to people with CP and their families through RaceRunning and Athletic Clubs, National Health Service trusts and organisations for people with disabilities.

Trial registration number NCT04034342; pre-results.

  • paediatric neurology
  • developmental neurology & neurodisability
  • preventive medicine
  • rehabilitation medicine
  • sports medicine
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited, appropriate credit is given, any changes made indicated, and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036469

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors MvdL and NT conceived the study. All authors designed the study; have read and approved the final manuscript. JR and MvdL drafted the manuscript.

    • Funding The study is supported by a joint award from Action Medical Research and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient and public involvement Patients and/or the public were involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of this research. Refer to the Methods section for further details.

    • Patient consent for publication Not required.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; peer reviewed for ethical and funding approval prior to submission.