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Open Access 01-05-2016 | Original Article

Cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity in children with cancer

Authors: Katja I. Braam, Elisabeth M. van Dijk-Lokkart, Gertjan J.L. Kaspers, Tim Takken, Jaap Huisman, Marc B. Bierings, Johannes H.M. Merks, Marry M. van de Heuvel-Eibrink, Eline van Dulmen–den Broeder, Margreet A. Veening

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 5/2016

Abstract

Purpose

This study assessed cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), physical activity (PA), and sedentary behavior (SB), as well as factors associated with these outcomes in children during or shortly after cancer treatment.

Methods

Cross-sectionally, CRF data, obtained by the cardiopulmonary exercise test, and PA and SB data, obtained by an accelerometer, were assessed in children with cancer (8–18 years old). Linear regression models were used to determine associations between CRF, PA, or SB and patient characteristics.

Results

Among 60 children with cancer, mean age 12.6 years, 35 boys, 28 % were during cancer treatment. CRF, reported as the z score of VO_2peak, showed that 32 children had a VO_2peak z score which was −2 below the predicted value. CRF was significantly associated with PA and SB: each additional activity count per minute resulted in 0.05 ml/kg/min VO_2peak increase and each additional minute sedentary reduced VO_2peak by 0.06 ml/kg/min. Multiple linear regression models of PA and SB showed that decreased activity was significantly associated with higher age, being fatigued, being during childhood cancer treatment (p < 0.001), or having a higher percentage of fat mass. The multiple linear regression model showed that lower CRF was significantly associated with increased fatigue, being during cancer treatment, having a higher percentage of fat mass, and lower belief of own athletic competence (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study revealed that children during or shortly after cancer treatment have low CRF scores. The most inactive children had a higher fat mass, were fatigued, older, and during childhood cancer treatment. Unexpectedly, treatment-related factors showed no significant association with activity behavior.

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Title: Cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity in children with cancer
Authors: Katja I. Braam
Elisabeth M. van Dijk-Lokkart
Gertjan J.L. Kaspers
Tim Takken
Jaap Huisman
Marc B. Bierings
Johannes H.M. Merks
Marry M. van de Heuvel-Eibrink
Eline van Dulmen–den Broeder
Margreet A. Veening
Publication date: 01-05-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 5/2016
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2993-1

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