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Effects of anaerobic training in children with cystic fibrosis: a randomized controlled study
Peter H C Klijn1, Annemarie Oudshoorn, Cornelis K van der Ent
1Department of Pediatric Physical Therapy, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Insights
Anaerobic training significantly improved anaerobic performance and quality of life in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). These benefits were sustained after a 12-week follow-up, suggesting its therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Exercise Science
- Respiratory Medicine
- Rehabilitation Therapy
Background:
- Children's physical activity is predominantly anaerobic.
- Anaerobic exercise in pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) is understudied.
- Investigated anaerobic training effects in children with CF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of a 12-week anaerobic training program on children with CF.
- To evaluate changes in body composition, pulmonary function, muscle force, and exercise performance.
- To determine the sustainability of training effects during a 12-week follow-up period.
Main Methods:
- Twenty children with CF were randomized into a training group (TG, n=11) or control group (CG, n=9).
- The TG underwent 12 weeks of anaerobic training (2 days/week, 30-45 min/session).
- Assessed outcomes included body composition, pulmonary function, muscle force, aerobic/anaerobic performance, and quality of life.
Main Results:
- The TG showed significant improvements in anaerobic performance, aerobic performance, and quality of life.
- No significant changes were observed in the CG.
- Post-follow-up, the TG maintained significantly higher anaerobic performance and quality of life compared to baseline.
Conclusions:
- Anaerobic training positively impacts anaerobic performance and quality of life in children with CF.
- Aerobic performance improvements were observed but not sustained post-training.
- Anaerobic training is a valuable addition to therapeutic strategies for pediatric CF patients.
Background:
Children's physical activity patterns are characterized by short-term anaerobic activities. Anaerobic exercise performance in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) has received little attention compared to aerobic performance. This study investigated the effects of anaerobic training in children with CF.
Design And Methods:
Twenty patients were randomly assigned to the training group (TG) [11 patients; mean (+/- SD) age, 13.6 +/- 1.3 years; mean FEV(1), 75.2 +/- 20.7% predicted] or the control group (CG) [9 patients; mean age, 14.2 +/- 2.1 years; FEV(1), 82.1 +/- 19.1% predicted]. The TG trained 2 days per week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting 30 to 45 min. The training program consisted of anaerobic activities lasting 20 to 30 s. The control subjects were asked not to change their normal daily activities. Body composition, pulmonary function, peripheral muscle force, habitual physical activity, aerobic and anaerobic exercise performance, and quality of life were reevaluated at the end of the training program, and again after a 12-week follow-up period.
Results:
Patients in the TG significantly improved their anaerobic performance, aerobic performance, and quality of life. No significant changes were seen in other parameters, and no improvements were found in CG. After the follow-up period, only anaerobic performance and quality of life in TG were significantly higher compared to pretraining values.
Conclusions:
Anaerobic training has measurable effects on aerobic performance (although not sustained), anaerobic performance, and health-related quality of life in children with CF. Therefore, anaerobic training could be an important component of therapeutic programs for CF patients.
