Physical Activity Levels and Performance in Italian Adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis: A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study

The aim of this study was to compare physical performance in Italian adolescents with different habitual activity levels and to examine its relationship with peripheral muscle strength and quality of life. At regular clinic visits in 5 cystic fibrosis (CF) Centres in Italy, 35 subjects performed spirometry, incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), one-repetition maximum (1 RM) and completed the Habitual Activity Estimation Scale (HAES). Subjects were divided into two groups, based on activity levels derived from the HAES. More active subjects achieved higher ISWT distance (ISWD) (1040.4 m vs.851.3 m, p=0.2) and described better body image perception (75.7% vs. 66.7% p=0.3) than subjects in the less active group, but these results did not reach a statistical significance. There was no correlation between ISWD, lung function and quality of life, but we observed a moderate correlation between ISWD and upper limb strength (r=0.46). Our data showed that more active subjects did not differ from less- active ones. Further studies should choose alternative tools to assess physical activity levels in order to detect the real engagement in vigorous activities, making it easier to compare and combine results and promote educational intervention.