Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a common hereditary diseases. It is associated with many problems with the respiratory system. An increase in physical activity has been shown to improve quality of life and lung function. The current study aimed at evaluating active cycle breathing techniques together with aerobic exercise training in children with CF.
Sixteen children between the ages of 5-13 were evaluated before and after a 6 week training period. This evaluation consisted of a treadmill test, sit ups for abdominal strength, standing long job for power, flexibility exercises, 20 meter shuttle runs and 10 step stair climbs. The active cycle breathing techniques together with the exercise program of treadmill running for 30 mins at 75-80% maximum heart rate was performed supervised 3 times per week for 6 weeks. At the end of the training, there was a significant increase in thoracic mobility, muscle endurance, strength, flexibility and speed in the children with CF.
This study suggests that regular aerobic training, together with active breathing techniques in the early stages of CF can lead to the improvement of muscle endurance and strength > from Schmidt et al.; Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 27 (2011) 548–556. All rights reserved to Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.
Finally. I found something to show exercise is brilliant for CF. Don't know why it's not implemented more! PWCF should aim to train like a professional athlete. Obviously it takes time, but it's what's needed!
So get going. Lace the shoes up, wrap up, and get ready to cough up.
Adios
Hi Evan – have you heard of Cochrane systematic reviews? They collate evidence from trials on particular medical treatments to prove if they work or not. I work for the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis & Genetic Disorders Group and we have a review on exercise for PWCF called ‘Physical training for CF’. There are currently seven trials included in the review (231 participants), but this was last updated 2 years ago and we are currently running a search to see if any relevant new trials have been published. The basic message from the review is that there is limited evidence from both short- and long-term studies that aerobic or anaerobic physical training has a positive effect on exercise capacity, strength and lung function, but improvements are not consistent between studies. Ideally we need some more studies for a definitive answer! The full review is available via The Cochrane Library (www.thecochranelibrary.com), but access may be chargeable depending on where in the world you live (see section on access on the website). The good news is the abstract from the review containing the summary of the review is available to everyone free of charge regardless of where they are. If you want more information, take a look at our Group’s website (www.cfgd.cochrane.org) or email me (nikkij@liv.ac.uk). Nikki
ReplyDeleteLooking at each "Physical Exercise for CF" study, they don't seem to be string enough. I can't see, even from a common sense point of view that if you exercise it will increase lung function. In CF it makes you cough, so your getting mucus up, and just for general well being exercise is advised. So I don't believe those studies are correct, or aren't well carried out.
ReplyDeleteI know from a personal experience that if I don't run for a week then I start to get a cough
And feel phlegmy, so I don't understand how exercise can't help CF. it's common sense. I also feel that if your in your 20s or late teens and start to exercise then more then likely it's too late as scar tissue has set in and youv have countless IVs. So by doing it from early age you get a head start so to speak.
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