Physical activity and exercise in children with cystic fibrosis

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Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
00:07

Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: August 24, 2019

J K Loutzenhiser1, R Clark

  • 1Department of Pediatric Oncology, Children's Hospital, Denver, CO 80218.

Journal of Pediatric Nursing
|April 1, 1993
PubMed

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.

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