Objectively measured physical activity levels and sedentary time in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia.

The aim of this study was to identify the levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour of children and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCA) compared to healthy individuals. A cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was performed at a reference center for the treatment of patients with hemoglobinopathies in northeastern Brazil. Patients were recruited between October 2015 and January 2017. Eligible participants answered a Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children and Adolescents (PAQ-C) and were instructed to use an ActiGraph wGT3X-BT triaxial accelerometer for seven consecutive days. Fifty patients (and their 50 controls matched for age and sex) were then evaluated. We observed lower moderate (19.2 ± 11.9 and 27.1 ± 13.8 min/d; p<0.01) and vigorous PA (3.6 ± 4.1 and 7.8 ± 7.4 min/d; p<0.01) in cases than controls, respectively. There was also a significant difference among cases and controls in the following variables: total of steps (51010 ± 19600 and 59105 ± 22650; p = 0.04) and "total caloric expenditure" (1015 ± 516 and 2404 ± 1308; p<0.01), with the lowest values for the patients with SCA for all variables. Children and adolescents with SCA presented lower levels of physical activity than healthy children and adolescents, either when evaluated by PAQs or by accelerometer.

Physical activity level and performance in the six-minute walk test of children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia.

BACKGROUND: To establish determinants of maximum walking distance in the 6-minute walk test of children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia, and to compare the performance in this test with physical activity level between patients and healthy controls. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in which the participants answered the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children and Adolescents, and completed the 6-minute walk test. MAIN RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients and 58 controls were studied. By univariate analysis of the patients, age (p<0.0001) and indirect bilirubin (p=0.008) were associated with maximum walking distance in the 6-minute walk test. In multivariate analysis, age was positively associated (p<0.0001; beta: 0.75), while body mass index was inversely associated with distance walked (p=0.047; beta: -0.32). This yields the following equation: maximum distance walked=487.7 (age×18.3)-(12×body mass index) meters. Patients reported a lower physical activity level however there was no significant difference in the distance walked in six minutes between patients (500.6±88.7m) and controls (536.3±94m). CONCLUSION: The determinants for the 6-minute walk test in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia were age and body mass index. There was no significant difference in the 6-minute walk test but patients with sickle cell anemia had a lower physical activity level compared to healthy controls.

Physical activity level and performance in the six-minute walk test of children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia

ABSTRACT Background: To establish determinants of maximum walking distance in the 6-minute walk test of children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia, and to compare the performance in this test with physical activity level between patients and healthy controls. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in which the participants answered the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children and Adolescents, and completed the 6-minute walk test. Main results: Fifty-seven patients and 58 controls were studied. By univariate analysis of the patients, age (p < 0.0001) and indirect bilirubin (p = 0.008) were associated with maximum walking distance in the 6-minute walk test. In multivariate analysis, age was positively associated (p < 0.0001; beta: 0.75), while body mass index was inversely associated with distance walked (p = 0.047; beta: -0.32). This yields the following equation: maximum distance walked = 487.7 (age × 18.3) - (12 × body mass index) meters. Patients reported a lower physical activity level however there was no significant difference in the distance walked in six minutes between patients (500.6 ± 88.7 m) and controls (536.3 ± 94 m). Conclusion: The determinants for the 6-minute walk test in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia were age and body mass index. There was no significant difference in the 6-minute walk test but patients with sickle cell anemia had a lower physical activity level compared to healthy controls.