Effects of a Long-Term Monitored Exercise Program on Aerobic Fitness in a Small Group of Children with Cystic Fibrosis

Wolfgang Gruber, Florian Stehling, Christopher Blosch, Stefanie Dillenhoefer, Margarete Olivier, Cordula Koerner-Rettberg, Sivagurunathan Sutharsan, Uwe Mellies, Christian Taube and Matthias Welsner
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Wolfgang Gruber: Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Cystic Fibrosis Center, Children’s Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
Florian Stehling: Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Cystic Fibrosis Center, Children’s Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
Christopher Blosch: Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Cystic Fibrosis Center, Children’s Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
Stefanie Dillenhoefer: Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, University Children’s Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, 44791 Bochum, Germany
Margarete Olivier: Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Cystic Fibrosis Center, Children’s Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
Cordula Koerner-Rettberg: Children’s Hospital Marienhospital Wesel, 46483 Wesel, Germany
Sivagurunathan Sutharsan: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Essen—Ruhrlandklinik, Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45239 Essen, Germany
Uwe Mellies: Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Cystic Fibrosis Center, Children’s Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
Christian Taube: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Essen—Ruhrlandklinik, Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45239 Essen, Germany
Matthias Welsner: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Essen—Ruhrlandklinik, Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45239 Essen, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-13

Abstract: Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a monitored exercise program on aerobic fitness in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods: Six children (2f/4m) with ages ranging from 6 to 14 years (11.3 ± 3.3 years.) and a mean ppFEV1 102.5 ± 13.5% pred. participated in the partially monitored 12-month exercise program. VO2peak and Wpeak were used as parameters of aerobic fitness. Incremental Cardio-Pulmonary Exercise Tests (CPETs) were performed before the program began (T1), after 6 months (T3) of monitoring, and after a further 6 months (T4) without monitoring. Habitual physical activity (HPA) was assessed with accelerometry. Results: The values of VO2peak and Wpeak improved slightly from T1 to T3 ( p > 0.05), without a further increase after monitoring was stopped (T4). However, the VO2peak and Wpeak values were higher after monitoring was stopped compared to at T1. The exercise program with and without monitoring ( p > 0.05) had no or only a slight effect on the FEV1 values, steps/day, and the intensity of HPA. Conclusions: Monitoring seems to facilitate the achievement of beneficial effects on physical fitness in CF children. For that reason, continuous individual exercise monitoring programs that involve close contact with an exercise therapist should be provided to maintain long-term motivation and participation in physical activities and sport activities during leisure time.

Keywords: cystic fibrosis; children; aerobic fitness; VO2peak; long-term exercise program; physical activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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