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Published on: January 12, 2019
Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Norwegian Boys With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Cross-Sectional Study
Stian Hammer1,2, Michel Toussaint3, Haakon Kvidaland2,4
1Department of Physiotherapy, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Insights
Boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are less physically active than healthy peers. Further research is needed to improve physical activity (PA) participation, especially for non-ambulatory boys with DMD.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neuromuscular Disorders
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends physical activity (PA) for all children, including those with disabilities, for optimal health.
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive genetic disorder affecting muscle function.
- Understanding PA levels and sedentary behavior in boys with DMD is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and describe physical activity (PA) levels and sedentary behavior in Norwegian boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
- To compare PA and sedentary behavior between ambulatory and non-ambulatory boys with DMD.
- To compare PA and sedentary behavior between boys with DMD and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving boys aged 5-18 years with DMD.
- Objective measurement of sedentary time, light PA, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) using accelerometers for seven consecutive days.
- Self-report questionnaires for PA data and comparisons with healthy controls from a database.
Main Results:
- Boys with DMD exhibited lower PA levels compared to healthy controls.
- Ambulatory boys with DMD had significantly higher PA levels than non-ambulatory boys (p=0.008).
- 53% of ambulatory boys met WHO MVPA recommendations, while none of the non-ambulatory boys did. Sedentary time increased with age and was higher on weekends.
Conclusions:
- Boys with DMD, particularly non-ambulatory individuals, face challenges in meeting physical activity recommendations.
- Further research is essential to identify barriers and facilitators for PA participation in boys with DMD.
- Interventions should focus on improving PA levels and reducing sedentary behavior in this population.
Introduction/Aims:
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all children, including those with disabilities, should be physically active for optimal health benefits. The primary aim of this study was to quantify and describe overall physical activity (PA) levels and sedentary behavior in Norwegian boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), in comparison with healthy controls.
Methods:
Boys aged 5-18 years with DMD were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Sedentary time, light PA, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were measured with use of an accelerometer for seven consecutive days. Data on PA were obtained via self-report questionnaires. Comparisons were drawn between ambulatory and non-ambulatory boys with DMD, and between ambulatory boys with DMD and healthy controls, with data retrieved from a database.
Results:
Twenty-eight boys with DMD participated, with a mean age of 12.6 (standard deviation 3.6) years, of whom 24 had accelerometry data. Ambulatory boys had higher PA levels compared with non-ambulatory boys (p = 0.008), and 53% of ambulatory boys met the WHO's recommendation for daily MVPA, whereas none of their non-ambulatory counterparts did. Boys with DMD were less physically active compared with healthy peers. Sedentary time was higher over weekends compared with weekdays, and increased with age both in the DMD group and in healthy controls.
Discussion:
Further research is needed to improve participation in PA by exploring barriers and facilitators, with a particular focus on non-ambulatory boys with DMD.
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