Studying the increase in the rate of oxygen uptake (V[dot above]O2) during the transition from rest to exercise (V[dot above]O2 kinetics) provides important information about aerobic function during a metabolic state that mimics habitual activity far more closely than traditional steady-state exercise. The time constant of V[dot above]O2 (τ V[dot above]O2) provides a method of quantifying the V[dot above]O2 kinetic response in the non-steady state. It can also be used to quantify the O2 deficit, which provides a means of assessing the ‘strain’ on non-aerobic energy sources at exercise onset. Children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) do not tolerate exercise well, and report early fatigue. Precise causalities are not known, although investigating V[dot above]O2 kinetics in this population has the potential to enhance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms. In addition, there are an increasing number of practitioners in the field of paediatric CP who use V[dot above]O2 measurements to evaluate the efficacy of interventions and rehabilitation regimens. Measuring V[dot above]O2 kinetics can complement the traditional cardiorespiratory outcome measures, providing much useful information about the combined function of the respiratory, circulatory, and metabolic systems. Importantly, this can be achieved by using submaximal exercise intensities, reducing the stress placed on participants. To our knowledge there are no published data describing the V[dot above]O2 kinetic responses of children with CP. This review seeks (1) to summarize the main findings from V[dot above]O2 kinetics research involving non-impaired adults and children so that measuring V[dot above]O2 kinetics in children with CP can be considered within an appropriate framework, and (2) to address methodological issues directly related to measuring kinetics in children with CP.