Exercise capacity of children with pediatric lung disease

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary function of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is similar at rest even though the mechanisms of injury differ. We sought to compare the peak exercise responses in children with BPD versus CF while controlling for pulmonary impairment, nutritional status, gender, age, height, and predicted forced expired volume in 1 second (~73% of predicted).

Methods: Nine BPD children and 9 CF children underwent spirometry and a progressive exercise test to maximum on a cycle ergometer.

Results: There was no difference between groups in body mass percentile (CF:97 ± 13%, BPD: 98 ± 11%), peak power output (Wpeak) (CF:67 ± 19 W, BPD:73 ± 28 W), % predicted Wpeak (CF:83 ± 28%, BPD:88 ± 15%), peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak, CF: 38 ± 7 ml/kg/min, BPD: 39 ±6 ml/kg/min), or % predicted VO2peak (CF:99 ± 16 %, BPD:96 ± 27%).

Conclusions: Children with mild pulmonary impairments are able to achieve a near normal peak power output and a normal VO2peak. Neither the aetiology nor the developmental onset of the process appears to be important influences on VO2peak or Wpeak.