CYSTIC FIBROSIS AND EXERCISE
- Are you concerned about the effects of exercise on your child’s health?
- Have you questioned whether your child can safely participate in athletics or
physical activity?
- Have you ever wondered whether exercise will cause a decrease in your child’s
lung function?
- Are you eager to optimize the health of your child at home and during
hospital stays?
- Would an inexpensive, easy, and fun way to improve the long term prognosis of
children with CF interest you?
If you answered YES to any one of the above questions, this page contains
valuable information for both you and your child with CF.
BACKGROUND
Exercise is known to have positive effects on many of the major organ systems
within the human body, especially the heart and lungs. Indeed, there are medical
concerns that must be addressed before an individual starts an exercise program.
Exercise under medical supervision can be safe for any individual no matter what
his/her condition.
The patient with CF is no exception.
Exercise has become exceedingly popular over the past few decades. Sense of
well-being, self esteem, and overall conditioning are just a few of the benefits
for people who exercise regularly. Individuals with CF are also capable of
achieving these benefits. Exercise, when done in the right amount, the right
intensity, and with the proper safety precautions, can be fun and beneficial for
nearly everyone including children and adults with CF.
NOW FOR THE FACTS…
As a child or a parent of a child with cystic fibrosis, you may not be fully
aware of the potential locked within a person with CF. Children with cystic
fibrosis are living longer, more active lives, and are participating in
activities that were once considered detrimental to their health. Exercise is a
good example of one of these activities.
Canny and Levison (1987) have suggested that "the unrelenting pulmonary
deterioration that occurs in most individuals with CF may be attenuated by
exercise training. Continued participation in an exercise program should improve
the long term prognosis for people with CF."
Nixon (1992) suggests that most fit individuals with CF are more than three
times as likely to survive the next eight years than the least fit. Whether a
cause and effect relationship exists between exercise and survival is still
unclear. In any event, we believe that the majority of people with CF will
benefit from an exercise program by increasing exercise tolerance and muscle
endurance.
Potential Benefits of Regular Exercise
- Enhancement of mucus clearance.
- Improvement of cardiopulmonary health.
- Promotion of emotional well being.
- Reduction of morbidity and complications related to CF.
GETTING STARTED
When beginning an exercise program, a doctor’s visit may be necessary to
eliminate potential problems that may arise during exercise. Normally, the
doctor who treats your child with CF will make exercise recommendations based on
your child’s lung function and overall disease severity. A formal evaluation in
a pulmonary exercise laboratory can help establish a starting point and help
define immediate, short term, and long term goals.
The exercise program should consist of some very basic elements. Exercise
should consist of approximately 30 minutes of continuous activity, 3-5 times a
week. Activities that are often chosen include walking, running, swimming, and
bicycling. These are suggestions and should not limit your child from other
forms of exercise that he/she may enjoy.
Sports of the start-stop variety may not produce the same conditioning
effects of the more continuous sports listed above. The most important aspect of
a conditioning program is that it be enjoyable for the participant. It is no
secret that we continue to do things we enjoy as opposed to those things we
don’t. Pacing your child and praising effort will go a long way in continued
participation. Encouraging exercise by example is often the best motivator.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Is my child’s ability to exercise limited by his/her lungs?
A. For most children with CF, the lungs do not limit exercise. Most children
with CF rarely use their entire lung capacity during exercise. As disease
severity increases, the lungs may limit exercise to moderate to heavy intensity.
However, even a person with severe lung disease can safely participate if he/she
exercises in individually tailored exercise programs.
Q. Will my child burn too many calories and lose weight?
A. Maintaining weight is a concern for children with CF. It is important to
keep track of weight gains and losses during training. If maintaining weight
becomes a problem, consultation with a CF nutritionist may help coordinate
nutritional needs during exercise.
Q. Is it okay that exercise makes my child cough?
A. Although coughing may be uncomfortable to some individuals, exercise can
serve as an excellent mechanism for increasing mucus tolerance.
Q. Should my child exercise during a "flare-up"?
A. Exercise during a "flare-up" should be viewed with caution. However, under
the supervision of a physician, exercise can potentially assist the recovery
process.
Q. Can my child exercise in severe heat?
A. Exercise in severe heat can pose special concerns for someone with CF.
When exercising in the heat, the body will adapt and find ways to cool itself.
One of the most effective ways the body cools itself is to sweat. Sweating can
lead to dehydration more rapidly in someone with CF. It is extremely important
that plenty of fluid be taken prior to and during exercise.
Some simple rules to follow are:
- Drink plenty of water prior to and during exercise.
- 6-7 oz of fluid every 15-20 minutes of exercise.
- A normal swallow is about one ounce so 6-7 swallows may be easier to
remember.
- In addition to fluid loss, salt loss through sweat is of special concern for
individuals with CF. Liberal salt intake will normally offset the salt losses
during sweating.
Q. Can my child weight lift and participate in contact sports?
A. Weight lifting can be enjoyed by people with cystic fibrosis as much as
anyone. One concern is making sure the body is mature enough to handle the
stress of weights. Normally young children should be discouraged from lifting
weights because bones haven’t fully developed. As for contact sports,
involvement of the gastrointestinal system (large liver or spleen) requires
consultation with your doctor.
LABORATORY TESTING
We are dedicated to providing insights into physical activity and cystic
fibrosis. Through research, rehabilitation, and example, we provide valuable
contributions to the care of children and adults with CF.
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Why do we test? |
- Evaluate disease severity
- Measure aerobic fitness and functional exercise capacity
- Examine cardiorespiratory (heart & lung) responses to exercise
- Provide a basis for exercise prescription
- Assess changes with treatment interventions
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What we can do... |
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Full exercise Evaluation
- Aerobic Endurance
- Anaerobic Power and Capacity
- Nutritional Assessment
- Body Composition
- Exercise Prescription
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Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program
- Full admissions screening
- Structured exercise program encompassing all aspects of fitness
- Full discharge screening
- Recommendations for home program
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