1. Introduction This study evaluated the effects of a treadmill training program with partial body weight support (PBWS) to improve walking endurance in children with cerebral palsy. Subjects The six children included in this study are described in Table 1. Mean age was 10.2 years (sd 4.3). All subjects were able to walk independently at the start of the study, with or without assistive devices. All demonstrated gait deviations and impaired walking performance. Methods Subjects walked on a treadmill using a Biodex Unweighing System for 20 minutes, three times per week for 12 weeks. PBWS of 40% of body weight was provided initially and weaned to 15% by the end of the study. Each session included a three minute warm-up and 17 minute training phase. Speed was increased each minute, as tolerated. No physical assistance was provided. Heart rate (HR) was monitored continuously. Average HR during the training phase was calculated for each session. During the second week of training and during the last week, a graded treadmill exercise testing protocol was used to assess endurance. Computerized 3D gait analysis was also completed during over-ground walking, before and after the training. Outcome variables included over-ground walking speed, mean walking speed on the treadmill, and energy expenditure index [EEI = (HR walking – HR rest)/walking speed in m/min]. Results The subjects completed an average of 33.5 (sd 1.2) sessions over a period of 83 (sd 12.5) days. Average HR during the training phase ranged from 65% to 82% of estimated maximum HR (220 minus age in years). Pre vs. post training comparisons revealed significant increases in over-ground walking velocity (41.8 (sd 20.6) m/min pre vs. 45.9 (sd 19.1) m/min post, t=-2.14, p<0.05). Mean treadmill walking speed increased significantly from a mean of 31.9 (sd 10.4) m/min during the second week of training to 43.8 (sd 12.9) m/min during the final week of training (t=12.93, p<.02). The change in mean EEI scores was not significant with pre EEI of 1.91 (sd 0.92) beats/m vs. post EEI score of 1.86 (sd 0.89) beats/m (t=0.34, p=0.38). Improvement in EEI scores was seen in four of the six children. Conclusions This study demonstrated an effective protocol using PBWS treadmill training to increase walking speed and endurance in children with CP. Although no significant change in EEI scores was noted, the sample size was small with a low level of power (  =0.95). Clinical Significance Treadmill training with PWBS was found to be an effective intervention to improve cardiovascular endurance and walking speed in a cohort of children with CP. This gait training method provides a safe and controlled environment for children to perform continuous walking at a cardiovascular training intensity to improve their gait and fitness. Table 2: Percent of Maximum Heart Rate During Training, Pre and Post EEI Scores Subject Percent of Max HR During Training (Mean ± SD) Pre EEI (beats/m) Post EEI (beats/m) 170.3 ± 5.91.761.55 267.3 ± 4.52.653.14 382.0 ± 3.43.002.70 468.8 ± 6.02.311.79 565.2 ± 3.60.590.87 667.9 ± 3.21.151.10 SubjectAge (yrs) GenderDiagnosisGMFCS † Level Assistive DeviceOrthoses ‡ 110.5Male Spastic Diplegia3Anterior rolling walkerNone 211.4Female Spastic Diplegia3Forearm crutchesAFOs 310.2Female Spastic Diplegia3Posterior walkerAFOs 47.5Male Spastic Diplegia3Forearm crutchesAFOs 54.4Male Spastic Hemiplegia1NoneLeft AFO 617.2Male Athetoid Quadriplegia2None Table 1 – Subject Characteristics † Gross Motor Function Classification Scale ‡ AFOs = Ankle-foot orthoses Conditioning Effects of Partial Body Weight Support Treadmill Training in Children with Cerebral Palsy Wayne Stuberg, PhD, PT, PCS, Stacey DeJong, PT, MS, PCS, Kerry Spady, PTA Munroe-Meyer Institute Motion Analysis Laboratory, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE Funding for this study was provided by the Watt Foundation in Omaha, NE, in part by Project #8188 from the Maternal Child Bureau (Title V, Social Security Act), Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and in part by grant 90DD0533 from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, Administration for Children and Families, DHHS.