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Physical activity and exercise in children with cystic fibrosis
1Department of Pediatric Oncology, Children's Hospital, Denver, CO 80218.
Insights
Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) show low fitness levels, with no significant link found between their physical activity and exercise capacity. Individualized exercise plans are recommended for managing CF. Keywords: cystic fibrosis, children, physical activity, exercise, fitness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Pulmonology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting multiple organs, particularly the lungs.
- Physical activity and exercise are crucial for managing chronic conditions like CF.
- Understanding the relationship between activity levels and fitness in pediatric CF patients is essential for optimizing care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the level of physical activity in children with cystic fibrosis.
- To examine the relationship between physical activity and exercise capacity in this population.
- To explore correlations with disease severity.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-six children (6-19 years) with CF participated.
- Pulmonary function tests and graded treadmill tests were conducted.
- Physical activity was measured using a parent-completed Likert-scaled Activity Questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Disease severity varied, with 61% in the normal category, 26% mild, 8% moderate, and 5% severe.
- Activity scores ranged from 5 to 33 (mean 22 ± 6.80).
- Patients exhibited low fitness levels, indicated by maximal oxygen uptake, with no significant correlation between activity scores and oxygen uptake.
Conclusions:
- Children with cystic fibrosis demonstrate low fitness levels.
- No significant relationship was found between reported physical activity and objective measures of exercise capacity.
- Nurses can create tailored exercise regimens using clinical, psychosocial, and exercise testing data for CF patients.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to describe both the level and relationship of physical activity and exercise in children with cystic fibrosis of varying degrees of severity. Thirty-six children (19 girls and 17 boys) between 6 and 19 years of age with cystic fibrosis underwent pulmonary function and graded treadmill testing. Physical activity was measured with a 7-item Likert-scaled Activity Questionnaire completed by parents (0.87, Alpha coefficient). Subject's severity of disease classifications based on pre-exercise pulmonary functions were as follows: 61% were in the normal category; 26% in mild; 8% in moderate; and 5% in severe. Activity scores ranged from 5 to 33 (x = 22. +/- 6.80). The subjects' levels of fitness were low as determined by their maximal oxygen uptake values. Correlations showed no significant relationships between the activity scores and oxygen uptake measures. Nurses can develop individualized exercise regimens based on clinical and psychosocial data as well as exercise testing for children with cystic fibrosis and their families.