Respirology. 2015 Dec 30. doi: 10.1111/resp.12719. [Epub ahead of print]

Physical activity participation by adults with cystic fibrosis: An observational study.

Cox NS1, Alison JA2,3, Button BM4,5,6, Wilson JW5,6, Morton JM7,8, Holland AE1,4.

• 1School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
• 2Discipline of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
• 3Department of Physiotherapy, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
• 4Department of Physiotherapy, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
• 5Department of AIRmed, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
• 6Department of Medicine, Alfred Campus, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
• 7Department of Medicine, Monash Campus, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
• 8Department of Respiratory Medicine, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Studies in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) suggest greater physical activity (PA) is associated with a slower rate of decline in respiratory function. In adults with CF, objectively measured PA time and its relationship to long-term clinical outcomes of respiratory function and need for hospitalization are unknown.

METHODS:

PA measured objectively (SenseWear armband), pulmonary function, exercise capacity (Modified Shuttle Test-25) and CF-related quality of life (CFQ-R) were assessed in 65 adults (34 male; mean age 28 years) with CF during a stable phase. A sub-group of these participants undertook additional measurement of PA at hospital discharge for a respiratory exacerbation.

RESULTS:

Median daily habitual moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA) time was 31-min (IQR:15-53). Participants who accumulated ≥30-min MPVA daily experienced fewer hospital days (P = 0.04), better exercise capacity and higher FEV1 at 12 months (P ≤ 0.001). Daily, fewer females than males accrued ≥30-min MVPA (P = 0.02). Compared with those who did not, participants who accumulated 30-min MVPA in bouts ≥10-min (n = 21) recorded better FEV1 (P = 0.02) and exercise capacity (P = 0.006), and reduced hospital admissions (P = 0.04) and hospital days (P = 0.04) at 12 months. MVPA participation declined significantly 1 month post-hospital discharge (median 12 min (4-34); P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION:

Adults with CF are able to achieve recommended MVPA targets of 30mins/day; however, a significant gender difference in activity time is apparent. Greater time in MVPA is related to more positive clinical outcomes over 12 months. Whether increasing PA levels can improve clinical outcomes in adults with CF warrants further investigation.

© 2015 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology.

KEYWORDS:

cystic fibrosis; exercise; habitual activity; hospitalization; physical activity

PMID:

26715596