Description of strength training exercises to be performed in FAST CP programme
| Seated calf raise | Tibialis anterior raise | Seated leg press | Standing calf raise | Seated straight knee calf press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle(s) targeted | Primary: soleus Secondary: gastrocnemii | Tibialis anterior | Gluteals, quadriceps, hamstrings, triceps surae | Primary: gastrocnemii Secondary: soleus | Primary: gastrocnemii Secondary: soleus |
| Initial participant positioning | Seated with hips flexed at 90°, knees flexed at 90°, feet flat on the floor approximately 30 cm apart. Dumbbell held on training leg, above the knee. Non-training leg resting with foot flat on the floor | Seated with hips flexed at 90°, knee flexed at 70°, training foot secured in foot plate. Non-training leg resting with foot flat on the base of training device | Seated with hips flexed at 70°, knees flexed at 70°, feet flat on the foot plate approximately 30 cm apart, toes pointing slightly outwards | Standing upright on a 20 cm step, holding a hand rail if required. Place dumbbell in hand on training leg side, heels hanging approximately 10 cm off the step. Non-training leg resting in the air above step | Seated with hips flexed at 70°, training leg knee at 0°, foot flat on the footplate with the heel hanging approximately 10 cm below the footplate. Non-training leg resting with foot flat on the floor |
| Instructions to participant | Hold the dumbbell on your knee and keep your toes on the floor, slowly raise your heel up towards the sky until you can't go any further. Slowly lower your heel down to the floor | Slowly lift the front of your foot up, keeping your knee bent and heel on the footplate until you can't go any further. Lower your foot back down again slowly | Slowly push the footplate forward, keeping your knees slightly bent, and then bring it back towards you slowly | Keep your knee straight and toes on the step, slowly raise your heel towards the sky until you can't go any further. Slowly lower your heel down again until it hangs slightly below the step | Slowly push the footplate forward with the front of your foot, keeping your knee straight, and then bring it back towards you slowly |
| Movement description | 1 repetition: lift the weight by raising the heel up using the ball of the foot until the ankle is in maximum plantar flexion before lowering the heel to return to the original position | 1 repetition: Lift the weight by dorsiflexing the foot, keeping the heel on the footplate, until the ankle is maximally dorsiflexed before lowering the forefoot to return to the original position | 1 repetition: Extend both knees equally to push the footplate forward. Do not lock the knees in full extension before flexing the knees to return to the original position Keep the back flat against the support pad for the duration of the movement | 1 repetition: Raise the heel up using the ball of the foot until the ankle is in maximum plantar flexion before lowering the heel to return to the original position | 1 repetition: Use the ball of the foot to plantar flex, pushing the footplate forward before dorsiflexing the ankle to return to the original position Keep the back flat against the support pad for the duration of the movement |
| Unilateral or bilateral training | Unilateral | Unilateral | Bilateral | Unilateral | Unilateral |
CP, cerebral palsy; FAST, functional anaerobic and strength training.