Perspective on cystic fibrosis and physical activity: Is there a difference compared to healthy individuals?

Abstract

While we found similar levels of physical activity measured by accelerometry in patients with CF compared to healthy controls in general, young school-aged children showed less engagement in strenuous activities than their healthy counterparts. As the reduced physical activity in young school children was not likely to be explained by the disease state, strenuous physical activity may be enhanced by advocating exercise and sport. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:1020-1030. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Time Patterns in Children and Adolescents With Cystic Fibrosis and Age- and Sex-Matched Healthy Controls

“…In agreement with some, 6,18,32 but not all, 10,12 previous studies, no significant difference was observed in the PAL of children with and without CF, although a considerably higher proportion of our CF population met recommended guidelines compared to previous research. 12 Given the numerous additional health benefits for patients with CF, 4-9 over and above the physiological and psychosocial benefits of regular PA identified in healthy children, 3 these findings highlight the need for strategies to increase PA in this population.…”

“…Evenson 15 cut-points to find that 6-17 year old children with CF engaged in significantly less MVPA and vigorous physical activity (VPA) but demonstrated higher total and light physical activity (TPA and LPA, respectively). Yet Jantzen et al 16 found similar PAL in CF patients across the age and intensity spectrum, but less engagement in strenuous activities for schoolaged children (6-13 years) compared to healthy controls. Interestingly, when extreme values were removed, no relationship was present between strenuous PA and percentage predicted FEV1.…”

“…Interestingly, when extreme values were removed, no relationship was present between strenuous PA and percentage predicted FEV1. 16 A potential limitation of earlier studies is the lack of age-and population-specific cut-points, although, in healthy populations, it is pertinent to note that Trost and colleagues 17 supported the use of Evenson cut-points. Arguably, the relative intensity for children and adolescents with CF could be greater and therefore light physical activity may be more beneficial to their health in comparison to their healthy counterparts.…”

“…Arguably, the relative intensity for children and adolescents with CF could be greater and therefore light physical activity may be more beneficial to their health in comparison to their healthy counterparts. However, with the exception of Aznar and colleagues, 12 and to some extent Jantzen et al, 16 the majority of studies did not consider PA across the spectrum. 6,10,18 As such, the identification of patients with CF participating in more LPA and TPA 12 may warrant further investigation.…”

Physical Activity Levels and Performance in Italian Adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis: A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study

“…Others described no significant differences in PA to healthy peers [2,7,10]. Regarding pulmonary function, some authors reported that higher PA levels were associated with a slower rate of decline in FEV 1 , specifically in girls with CF [5,11].…”