Sports for persons with cerebral palsy

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a non-progressive brain lesion causing variable impairment of the coordination, tone and strength of muscle action, with resulting inability of the person to maintain normal postures and to perform normal movements. CP-ISRA (international Sports and Recreation Association) promotes the development of sporting activities - competitive or noncompetitive - for persons with CP. A review is given of the classification profiles of CP-athletes used in competition and of the different events they can enter in the Paralympics. The importance of physical and recreational activities is stressed. Finally, the findings of the literature about the influence of training and competitive sports on the CP-athlete's motor system are mentioned.