Abstract

Objective of the study is to improve the independent mobility skills of adolescents with cerebral palsy and spina bifida through adaptive sport. Methods and structure of the study. An experiment was conducted involving adolescents with musculoskeletal disorders who specialise in sledge hockey (24 participants: 15 had a diagnosis of cerebral palsy; 9 had a diagnosis of spina bifida). The average age of the participants was 11+0.98 years. During the experiment, a comprehensive rehabilitation programme for adolescents with musculoskeletal disorders was implemented, based on the use of adaptive sports. To assess mobility, walking tests (for adolescents with cerebral palsy) and wheelchair tests (for adolescents with spina bifida) were used. Results and conclusions. Over the course of the experiment, adolescents with cerebral palsy showed a significant improvement in walking function tests, whilst adolescents with spina bifida demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in tests assessing changes in wheelchair control. This indicates an increase in the level of motor coordination and spatial orientation abilities, and points to an improvement in the functional mobility of the subjects. It was established that the inclusion in the experimental comprehensive rehabilitation programme for adolescents with musculoskeletal disorders of a set of corrective exercises to address pathological postural patterns and joint contractures – not only within the corrective microcycle but also during the warm-up – enabled an expansion of the participants' motor capabilities; an increase in the volume of balance exercises resulted in a qualitative improvement in gait. The inclusion in weekly microcycles of an experimental exercise programme designed to improve wheelchair control skills in adolescents with spina bifida, as well as the use of exercises to improve postural-tonic muscle function and fine motor skills, contributed to an improvement in wheelchair mobility and manoeuvring performance. The results obtained can be utilised in the practice of adaptive physical education specialists during diagnostic, corrective and rehabilitation activities, as well as in the training of Paralympians.

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No. 5, pp. 76–78

Published: 08.05.2026

CC BY 4.0