Strengthening and Endurance

Muscle strength and endurance play a crucial role in a child’s ability to move confidently, participate in physical activities, and maintain proper posture. Stronger muscles support balance, coordination, and stamina, allowing children to engage in active play, sports, and everyday tasks with ease. Endurance helps them sustain movement for longer periods without becoming fatigued, which is essential for activities like walking, running, and climbing.

Signs that your child might benefit from strength and endurance therapy include rapid fatigue, reluctance toward physical activity, or difficulty keeping pace with peers, which our therapists are skilled at evaluating and treating.

Conditions like hypotonia, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy can impair strength and endurance; our targeted exercise programs help these children enhance their functional movement skills.

We use obstacle courses, resistance training, and fun activities like jumping and climbing to build muscle and improve endurance, making therapy engaging and effective.

Yes, increasing strength and endurance has a direct impact on a child's ability to complete daily activities. Children with improved strength can sit upright for longer periods in school, carry backpacks comfortably, and engage in physical play without fatigue. Better endurance allows them to walk longer distances, participate in recess and sports, and perform self-care tasks like dressing and bathing with greater independence. Strength-building exercises also reduce the risk of injuries and improve overall movement quality.

Every child progresses at their own pace, depending on their starting point, condition, and consistency with therapy. Some children show noticeable improvements within a few weeks, while others may need several months of regular sessions to build long-term strength and endurance. Practicing recommended exercises at home can accelerate progress, helping children reinforce what they learn during therapy sessions.

Parents are encouraged to facilitate fun, physical activities like playground visits or bike rides, enhancing the therapy work done at Chicago Kids Physical Therapy and reinforcing strength gains.