Fitness, physical activity, and lung function in CF youth
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the longitudinal relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, and lung health in young children with Cystic Fibrosis
IRAS ID
287818
Contact name
Melitta McNarry
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Swansea University
Eudract number
2020-003662-39
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
There is growing evidence regarding the importance of fitness and physical activity for the health and wellbeing of those with cystic fibrosis (CF) which is the most common inherited life-shortening disease amongst Caucasians. NICE guidelines recommend that those with CF engage in regular physical activity as physical inactivity may accelerate the severity of the disease. Furthermore, the NICE guidelines and international consensus statements advocate for regular assessments of cardiorespiratory fitness as it is a predictor of survival, quality of life and risk of being hospitalised.
Nonetheless, despite the importance of physical activity in itself and as a stimuli for cardiorespiratory fitness, it is suggested that few young people with CF meet the current recommended physical activity levels. Furthermore, there is growing concern regarding declining fitness levels in those with CF despite improvements in treatments that should facilitate increased engagement in more physical activity and exercise. However, research has focused almost exclusively on children over 12 years old and adults, the applicability of these findings to young children is limited due to physiological, maturation and treatment-related differences. It is important to specifically determine the cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity levels of young children with CF and their relationship with lung health as these health outcomes and behaviours track from child- to adult-hood.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
21/NS/0115
Date of REC Opinion
20 Sep 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion