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Self-Reported Physical Activity and Exercise Patterns in Children With Sickle Cell Disease
Osarhiemen A Omwanghe1, Devin S Muntz1, Soyang Kwon1
11 Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.
Insights
Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA) for shorter durations. Disease impact and physical functioning challenges create barriers to PA participation for these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Hematology
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder impacting physical functioning.
- Understanding physical activity (PA) patterns is crucial for managing SCD in children.
- Previous research has not fully explored PA in children with SCD compared to national samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare physical activity (PA) patterns in children with SCD to a national sample.
- To identify factors associated with PA levels in children with SCD.
- To examine participation in physical education and organized sports among children with SCD.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 100 children with SCD.
- The survey included questions from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) Physical Activity Questionnaire.
- Additional questions assessed disease impact, physical functioning, and participation in physical education and sports.
Main Results:
- Children with SCD reported more days of moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) weekly but for shorter durations.
- Fewer children with SCD met recommended daily durations for vigorous PA (VPA) and MVPA compared to NHANES participants.
- Disease impact and physical functioning were negatively associated with PA participation.
Conclusions:
- Children with SCD are active but for shorter durations at moderate-to-vigorous intensities.
- Barriers to PA in SCD include negative beliefs about disease impact and impaired physical functioning.
- Interventions should address these barriers to promote PA in children with SCD.
Purpose:
Sickle cell disease (SCD) significantly affects physical functioning. We examined physical activity (PA) patterns in children with SCD versus a national sample and factors associated with PA and participation in physical education and organized sports.
Method:
One hundred children with SCD completed a 58-item survey with questions from the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) Physical Activity Questionnaire and others on physical education and sports, disease impact, and physical functioning.
Results:
Compared with NHANES participants, more children with SCD (67 vs 42%, p < .01) reported doing at least 10 min of moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA)/week. Children with SCD also reported spending more days in MVPA (2.3 vs. 1.4 days/week, p < .01). However, fewer reported spending ³ 60 min/day in either vigorous PA (VPA) (24 vs. 43%, p = .01) or MVPA (17 vs 23%, p < .01). In addition, 90% and 48% of children with SCD participated in physical education and sports, respectively. Greater disease impact on PA and physical functioning were associated with lower participation.
Conclusion:
Children with SCD are active at moderate to vigorous intensity for shorter durations. Negative personal beliefs about disease impact and poor physical functioning represent barriers to PA in SCD.
