Lower physical activity levels in youth with Cystic Fibrosis compared to healthy controls: A multicentre comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity (PA) offers significant health benefits on both short (i.e., emotional well-being) and long term (i.e., fewer hospitalizations) in Youth with Cystic Fibrosis (YwCF). Regardless, evidence on PA levels in YwCF compared to healthy controls (HC) is inconsistent. Additionally, PA is a multidimensional outcome influenced by several factors such as Quadriceps strength and functional performance. Therefore, we aimed to assess whether PA, Quadriceps strength and functional performance differ between YwCF and HC across different age groups (i.e., children and adolescents). METHODS: YwCF aged 6-17 from two Belgian CF centres and age- and sex-matched HC were recruited. PA was measured with an ActiGraph GT3X + BT during 7 consecutive days. Isometric Quadriceps strength was assessed with a Hand Held Dynamometer and functional performance with a sit-to stand test (STS) and standing long jump (SLJ). RESULTS: A total of 49 YwCF (44 % male; 11.3 ± 3.3 years) and 49 HC (48 % male; 11.9 ± 3.5 years) were included. On average days, YwCF performed 4 ± 6.4 min less light PA and 7.5 ± 6.7 min less moderate-to-vigorous PA compared to HC (p = 0.04; p = 0.01). The differences in moderate-to-vigorous PA seem more pronounced in children (6-11 years)(p = 0.04). Furthermore, YwCF had similar Quadriceps strength to HC but had lower scores on the STS and SLJ (p = 0.50, p = 0.08; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows lower PA levels and functional performance for YwCF, indicating that there is an urgent need for interventions promoting PA in YwCF. PA promotion will become increasingly important in the post modulator area to prevent health risks associated with low PA.

Physical activity and its correlates in people with cystic fibrosis: a systematic review.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-shortening genetic disease, affecting multiple life domains including physical activity (PA). Although higher PA levels are associated with multiple health benefits, little insight exists on the PA level of people with CF (PwCF) compared to healthy peers. Evidence on the influencing factors (i.e. correlates) of PA in this clinical population is scarce, but essential to fully understand their PA behaviour. Therefore, the present review aims to provide an overview of the PA level of PwCF compared to healthy peers, and the correlates of PA in PwCF. A systematic search of three databases resulted in 46 included studies. Analysis of 16 studies showed that the CF population is equally active compared to healthy peers, but there is a trend towards less high-intensity PA in youths with CF. Furthermore, PA is positively associated with quality of life, lung function, (maximal) exercise capacity, bone mineral density and quadriceps force. Also, PA was lower on weekdays compared to weekend days and lower when experiencing pulmonary exacerbations. More high-quality research is required in PwCF, particularly longitudinal studies that further explore the correlates of PA, with PA investigated as a primary outcome and measured objectively.