Moving more: physical activity and its positive effects on long term conditions in children and young people

Abstract

While the benefits of regular participation in physical activity in children and young people are clear, misconceptions have developed about the possible negative effects and potential complications of exercise on long-term conditions such as epilepsy, asthma and diabetes. Over the last decade evidence has emerged supporting the positive impact that physical activity has on long-term conditions. Previous concerns were raised about the risks of hypoglycaemia in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) thus limiting participation in sports. Importantly, physical activity improves the metabolic profile, bone mineral density, cardiorespiratory fitness and insulin sensitivity while lowering mortality risk in children with T1DM. Children with asthma were prevented from doing exercise due to concerns about precipitating an acute asthmatic episode. To the contrary, physical activity interventions have consistently shown an increase in cardiovascular fitness, physical capacity, asthma-free days and quality of life in childhood asthmatics. Children with epilepsy are often excluded from sports due to concerns relating to increased seizure frequency, yet evidence suggests that this is not the case. The evidence supporting physical activity in childhood survivors of cancer is growing but still primarily confined to patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Participation in sports and physical activity also reduces mental health problems developing in adolescence. While further research is required to investigate benefits of physical activity on specific aspects of long-term conditions in children, in general this group should be advised to increase participation in sports and exercise as a means of improving long-term physical and mental health.

Physical activity level in students regarding age, gender, sport and motivational climate | Nivel de actividad física en estudiantes en función de la edad, el género, tipo de deporte practicado y su orientación motivacional

“…Los beneficios de la salud asociados a la práctica regular de actividad física son independientes de la edad, siendo especialmente importantes en niños y adolescentes. Por lo que su práctica regular produce múltiples beneficios físicos, psicológicos y previene el consumo de sustancias nocivas en niños y jóvenes (Dimitri, Joshi y Jones, 2020;Wu et al, 2017;Zurita, Sánchez y Chacón, 2018).…”

“…Por otro lado, el tipo de deporte practicado también tiene relación con las orientaciones motivacionales de los participantes. En este sentido, los deportes de colectivos representan mayores valores en la orientación al ego, mientras que los deportes individuales se relacionan con una mayor orientación a la tarea (Hanrahan y Biddle, 2002;.…”

Adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea, Actividad Física y su relación con el Nivel Socioeconómico en escolares de Primaria de la capital de Granada (The relationship of Mediterranean diet adherence and Physical Activity engagement with Socioeconomic Status

“…Una adherencia alta a la DM ha de utilizarse como herramienta para combatir la obesidad que ocupa a la población actual, valorando otros hábitos de vida saludables, como es el caso de la práctica de AF; ya que son muchas investigaciones las que demuestran los múltiples beneficios que puede atraer a la vida de los escolares (Zurita-Ortega, Ubago-Jiménez, Puertas-Molero, González-Valero, Castro-Sánchez & Chacón Cuberos, 2018;Dimitri, Joshi & Jones, 2020). Respecto a los niveles de AF, del mismo modo y en consonancia con un estudio de 11110 niños de diez países europeos (McMahon, et al, 2017), se observa que la AF del grupo masculino es más alta que la de del grupo femenino.…”

Impact of Physical Activity on Cognitive Functions: A New Field for Research and Management of Cystic Fibrosis

“…The positive effects of PA in patients affected by peripheral pathological conditions from metabolic conditions to lung disorders have been widely described [ 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 ]. In diseases with an impairment of lung function (similar to that of CF patients), such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, PA acts by reducing the risk of developing depression or anxiety symptoms over time [ 77 , 78 ].…”