P294 The level of physical activity, lung function and exercise capacity of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis compared to healthy controls

Abstract Background : people with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) have progressive limitation to physical exercise and reduced daily living activities. Regular physical activity (PA) and exercise contribute to the quality of live of people with CF. The objective of this study was to evaluate level of PA , lung function and functional capacity in children and adolescents diagnosed with CF and compare them with those of healthy children and adolescents. Methodology: the study had a cross-sectional design with a control group. Patients with CF were followed at the Children’s Pneumology Outpatient Clinic, and were matched for age and sex with healthy controls from a local public school. The evaluations included daily step count, the shuttle walk test and spirometry. Results: 70 children and adolescents were evaluated, 35 diagnosed with CF and 35 healthy controls. The overall mean age was 11.6±2.9 years. There was no significant difference in level of PA between the patient and control groups. Gender analysis revealed no significant difference in level of PA between the groups or within the CF group. The CF group values were significantly lower than the control group for BMI (p=0.04), percentage of predicted FEV 1 and FEV 1 Z-score (p=0.02 and p=0.010). Conclusion: In this sample, children and adolescents with CF had the same level of PA as their healthy peers. Boys and girls with CF had similar level of PA when stratified by sex, as well as when compared to healthy peers of the same gender. Differences were observed between BMI, FEV 1 and some functional capacity test variables between the groups.