Habitual physical activity and the association with disease severity and exercise capacity in cystic fibrosis, a pilot study

grantor: University of Toronto'Objectives'. To determine recruitment and compliance rates for the collection of habitual physical activity data, to profile trends in habitual physical activity patterns, and to determine if a positive relationship exists between lung function, habitual physical activity, nutritional status and exercise capacity in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. 'Results'. Positive and significant correlation coefficients were demonstrated between habitual physical activity (HAES), lung function, nutritional status and exercise capacity. Patients reported significantly higher Total Activity scores (mild to vigorous physical activity) for a typical weekend day ('HAES', 8.0 ± 3.0 hours/day; 'Activity Diary', 4.8 ± 2.3) than weekday ('HAES', 5.7 ± 2.8; 'Activity Diary', 3.9 ± 1.2). The ' Total Activity score' for a 'typical weekday', derived from the HAES, was demonstrated to be a significant predictor of forced expiratory volume in one second ('FEV'1), the most important variable in describing CF lung disease. 'Conclusions'. These pilot study results will serve as the precursor for a longitudinal follow-up study that will begin to address the direction of the causal relationship between habitual physical activity and FEV1 in CF. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)M.Sc