Abstract
Background Children with disabilities have an increased risk for reduced fitness and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Fitkids, a nationwide exercise therapy program in the Netherlands, was developed to improve fitness and HRQoL in children with disabilities.
Objective The study objective was to determine the effects of the Fitkids program on health-related fitness, walking capacity, and HRQoL in children with disabilities or chronic conditions.
Design This was a quasi-experimental single-group longitudinal study.
Methods Fifty-two children and adolescents who were referred to the Fitkids program participated in this study. Participants received a graded exercise training program for 6 months, with frequencies of 1 hour 2 times per week in the first 3 months and 1 hour per week during months 4 to 6. Health-related fitness (aerobic fitness, anaerobic fitness, and muscle strength), walking capacity, and HRQoL were evaluated at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of training. Multilevel modeling was used to quantify the contributions of repeated measures, participants, and Fitkids centers to variations in health-related fitness, walking capacity, and HRQoL during the intervention period. The models were adjusted for sex, height, and weight.
Results After 6 months of training, significant intervention effects were found for aerobic fitness, anaerobic fitness, and muscle strength. A significant effect also was found for walking capacity. On the HRQoL measure, significant improvements were found for the self-reported and parent-reported physical and emotion domains and for the parent-reported total score for HRQoL.
Limitations No control group was included in this study.
Conclusions The Fitkids exercise therapy program has significantly improved health-related fitness, walking capacity, and HRQoL in children and adolescents with chronic conditions or disabilities.
In the Netherlands, 14% to 20% of all children and adolescents (0–18 years of age) have long-term or chronic diseases.1 There is strong evidence that physical fitness is compromised in these young people.2–6 From these same studies, it is known that physical activity or exercise training enhances physical fitness in these young people and reduces the risk of secondary impairments. For example, a higher level of physical fitness is associated with a lower level of total adiposity7 and is inversely associated with cardiovascular risk factors.8 Therefore, the promotion of physical activity among people with disabilities is of major concern. However, despite many efforts to promote the participation of children with chronic conditions or disabilities in fitness and activity programs, many of these children still have a sedentary lifestyle and are less fit than children without chronic conditions or disabilities.
The American Physical Therapy Association's Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, second edition, states that a part of physical therapist practice is to “provide prevention and promote health, wellness, and fitness.”9(p40) In the Netherlands, the Fitkids exercise therapy program was developed to address the need for children and adolescents who are 6 to 18 years of age and have chronic conditions or disabilities to become more active and to promote health-related fitness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in this population.2 In keeping with the opinion of the American Physical Therapy Association, the Fitkids program is conducted under the supervision of pediatric physical therapists. In the Fitkids program, children and adolescents with different (chronic) conditions or disabilities train within a single group (heterogeneous grouping) to reduce any stigma associated with their disabilities. Moreover, because 150 Fitkids centers have been opened in the Netherlands, thus limiting the barrier of transport, children are able to train in their own communities. The costs associated with the Fitkids program are largely covered by health insurance, thus limiting the barrier of costs for becoming active.
Information on the effectiveness of the Fitkids exercise therapy program is currently lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the Fitkids exercise therapy program on health-related fitness, walking capacity, and HRQoL in children and adolescents with chronic conditions or disabilities in a random sample of Fitkids centers throughout the Netherlands.
Method
Participants
Study sample.
Fifty-two children and adolescents who were referred to the Fitkids program by their treating physicians participated in this study (30 boys and 22 girls). Inclusion was based on willingness to participate. Participants were 6 to 17 years of age at the time of inclusion and were diagnosed with any type of chronic disease or disability. Children and adolescents who depended on a wheelchair or were not able to read or understand the Dutch language were excluded.
Recruitment.
From each province (n=12) in the Netherlands, 1 Fitkids center was selected to participate in the study based on the willingness of the therapists to participate and the ability of the therapists to administer the included exercise tests according to the test manuals. The inclusion of participants started after approval by the Medical Ethics Committee of the University Medical Center Utrecht. The participants and their parents individually received written and verbal information about the study and an informed consent form. Written informed consent was obtained from the parents or legal guardian of each participant and separately from each participant who was 12 years of age or older.
Procedure
Exercise training program.
Participants received a graded exercise program (regular Fitkids exercise therapy program) for 6 months. Participants were instructed to train 1 hour 2 times per week in the first 3 months and 1 hour per week during months 4 to 6. Each session consisted of a warm-up period (±10 minutes) and a cool-down period (±10 minutes), which were based on simple competitive or strategic games, and a core component (±40 minutes), which was performed individually. Treadmills, cross-trainers, stationary exercise bikes, rowing machines, and other types of indoor exercise equipment were used. The exercise sessions were supervised by experienced pediatric physical therapists. More detailed information on the Fitkids program can be obtained from the Fitkids Foundation (e-mail: info{at}fitkids.nl).
Anthropometrics.
Body weight and height were measured with an electronic scale and a wall-mounted centimeter scale, respectively. The body mass index (in kg/m2) was derived from weight and height and compared with reference values for people who were healthy and matched for age and sex; z scores were calculated.10,11
Outcome Measures
Outcome measures, conducted according to International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health guidelines,12 were health-related fitness (defined as aerobic fitness, anaerobic fitness, and muscle strength), walking capacity, and HRQoL measured at baseline (t0), after 3 months of training (t1), and after 6 months of training (t2).
Body function.
Aerobic fitness was reflected by the endurance time achieved on the modified Bruce protocol (the “half-Bruce” protocol). The modified protocol was used because it has smaller increments in workload than the original protocol.13 The half-Bruce treadmill test has eleven 1.5-minute stages. The first stage starts at a speed of 2.7 km/h and a gradient of 10%. Except for the last 2 stages, which have a speed increment of 0.4 km/h, each subsequent stage has an increment of 0.6 to 0.7 km/h. All stages have a gradient increment of 1%. Participants were urged to continue to the point of severe fatigue. The test was finished when a child refused to do more work despite verbal encouragement. Participants were not allowed to use the handrails. According to Cumming et al,14 the Bruce test is highly reproducible (r=.94) and valid (r=.88 for maximal endurance time and maximal oxygen uptake).
Anaerobic fitness was measured by use of the mean power (measured in watts) derived from the Muscle Power Sprint Test (MPST).15 The MPST is a reliable method for determining anaerobic performance in both children who are healthy (the intraclass correlation coefficient for mean power was .98)15 and children with cerebral palsy.16,17 Participants were instructed to complete six 15-m runs at a maximum pace. The 15-m distance was marked by 2 lines taped on the floor. Participants were instructed to cross the finish line. Between the runs, the participants were allowed a timed 10-second rest period before preparing for the next sprint. Participants were given the cues “ready,” “3,” “2,” “1,” and “go” for the first run. For the second through the sixth runs, the physical therapist counted backward from “10” to “1” and then gave the cue “go.” The mean power, considered the most important parameter for the MPST, was the average power output of the 6 sprints.15 Power (W) was calculated as force × velocity, where force (kg × m/s2)=body mass (kg) × acceleration (m/s2) and velocity (m/s)=distance (m)/time (s).
Muscle strength was assessed by use of the strength subscale of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (2nd ed) (BOT-2).18,19 This subscale contains 5 items, which were administered in a fixed sequence, such as standing long jump (SLJ), knee push-ups, sit-ups, wall sit, and v-up. In addition to the item scores, an overall score on the strength subscale was recorded (total point score). The strength subscale of the BOT-2 seems to be valid and reliable.19
Activity.
Walking capacity was assessed by use of the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), conducted according to American Thoracic Society guidelines.20 The test-retest reliability of the 6MWT has been reported to be high, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of .84 to .98.21–23 The minimal important change of the 6MWT was investigated in recent clinimetric studies on adult patients with chronic conditions and was found to be 24 to 45 m.24,25 In the present study, the 6MWT was performed in a 15-m straight corridor. Participants were instructed to cover the greatest possible distance in 6 minutes at a self-selected walking speed. Physical therapists encouraged participants with the following standardized statements: “You're doing well” and “Keep up the good work.” Participants were allowed to stop and rest during the test; however, they were instructed to resume walking as soon as they felt able to do so. The 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) was recorded as the primary outcome measure.
HRQoL.
The 25-question version of the Dutch Children AZL/TNO Questionnaire Quality of Life (DUX-25)26 was used to assess how the participants and their parents evaluated HRQoL in their daily functioning. The DUX-25 includes 4 functional domains: physical, emotional, family, and social. In addition, a total HRQoL score with a high discriminative quality can be obtained, allowing its use in individual patients. The responses are rated on a visual analog scale with faces ranging from smiling to crying. Item scores are converted to a scale from 1 to 100, with higher scores representing a higher HRQoL. The DUX-25 was completed by both the child (Child Form) and a parent (Parent Form). The internal consistency (Cronbach alpha) of the DUX-25 domains varies from .65 to .84, and that of the total score is .94.27 Sample questions from the emotional and physical domains, respectively, are as follows: “How much do you (does your child) like school?” and “How do you (does your child) rate his/her physical fitness?”
The tests were administered on the same day and in a fixed order with sufficient resting time between the tests. The 6MWT was performed before the half-Bruce treadmill test, which was followed by the MPST and the strength subscale of the BOT-2. To ensure the uniformity of the test procedures, we gave the physical therapists written instructions on the application and scoring of the exercise tests before they administered the tests.
Data Analysis
We used IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 20.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, New York) for descriptive statistics. The distribution of the variables was checked with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. To explore the baseline characteristics of the study population, we compared initial test results with test results for people who were healthy. To investigate longitudinal changes in health-related fitness, walking capacity, and HRQoL over time, we applied multilevel modeling with the multilevel program MLwiN 2.23 (Centre for Multilevel Modelling, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.28 An advantage of multilevel modeling over the traditional repeated-measurement approach is that all of the available results can be incorporated within the analysis,28 even if the number of measurements varies between the participants because of missing data, assuming that the missing data are random.29,30 By means of the multilevel analyses, we were able to determine whether the changes in health-related fitness, walking capacity, and HRQoL differed significantly across participants and Fitkids centers. A 3-level multilevel structure was used; level 1 represented repeated measures within participants (t0, t1, and t2), level 2 represented differences among participants, and level 3 represented differences among Fitkids centers.
Possible predictors for the multilevel model were sex, height, and weight because these variables were considered to influence health-related fitness and walking capacity.31,32 These predictors were entered into the model to find the best model fit. The model fit was evaluated by comparing the deviance (ln −2 log likelihood) of the empty model from the final model. Deviance is a measure of how well the model fits the data or how much the actual data deviate from the predictions of the model. The larger the deviance, the poorer the fit to the data. The empty model is the null model (ie, lacking predictors), and as predictors are added to the model, the deviance changes. A simpler model can be rejected with a decrease in the deviance and a P value of less than .05. An alpha level of .05 was adopted for all tests of significance.
Role of the Funding Source
The study was financed by the Johan Cruyff Foundation, the Rabobank Foundation, and SIA RAAK (2011-13-035P).
Results
Fifty-one participants completed the exercise training program. One child dropped out after 3 months of training because of an injury. The average adherence was 81.7% of offered training sessions. The demographic characteristics of the study population are shown in Table 1, and the baseline characteristics are shown in Table 2.
Demographic Characteristics of Participantsa
Baseline Characteristics of Participantsa
On average, 8% of all measurements were missing in the present study. The reasons for missing data were incomplete or missing test forms (41.9%), injuries (36.4%), vacation (10.6%), and incorrect measurements (11.1%) (eg, the time needed to complete runs on the MPST was recorded to the tenth of a second rather than to the hundredth of a second). We assumed that the missing data were random and, therefore, would not have an effect on the results.
The scores for endurance time on the half-Bruce treadmill test, the mean power on the MPST, the total point score on the BOT-2, and the 6MWD are depicted in the Figure. Comparisons of the measurements at baseline, 3 months of training, and 6 months of training indicated that participants showed improvements in their aerobic fitness, anaerobic fitness, muscle strength, and walking capacity over time.
Bar plots of the changes in baseline health-related fitness and walking capacity after 3 and 6 months of training. The bars show the mean test outcome and standard deviation at baseline (t0) and after 3 months of training (t1) and 6 months of training (t2). *P<.05.
Multilevel Modeling
Body function.
The estimated models for the half-Bruce treadmill test and the MPST are shown in Table 3, and the estimated model for the strength subscale of the BOT-2 is shown in Table 4. Because differences among Fitkids centers (level 3) did not significantly contribute to the variation in mean power, this level was excluded from the final model. Thus, multilevel modeling for the MPST resulted in a 2-level model, with timing of the measurement defined as level 1 and participants defined as level 2.
Multilevel Model for the Half-Bruce Treadmill Test, MPST, and 6MWTa
Multilevel Model for the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiencya
Aerobic fitness.
Sex, weight, and height did not significantly influence outcome on the half-Bruce treadmill test and, therefore, were not included in the final model. After 3 and 6 months of training, estimated improvements in endurance time on the half-Bruce treadmill test were 1.05 minutes (P≤.001) and 1.62 minutes (P≤.001), respectively. Moreover, the predicted endurance time of 8.30 minutes (6.68 minutes + 1.62 minutes) for t2 was significantly higher than for t1 (6.68 minutes + 1.05 minutes=7.73 minutes) (P≤.001). The level 2 variance of 0.58 indicated the difference among participants, meaning that 58% of the total variance in endurance time was attributable to differences among participants. Furthermore, 21% of the total variance was attributable to differences among Fitkids centers.
Anaerobic fitness.
Height significantly influenced mean power on the MPST and, therefore, was included in the final model. Sex and weight did not significantly predict mean power on the MPST and, therefore, were not included in the final model. After 3 and 6 months of training, estimated improvements in mean power were 17.38 W (P=.02) and 35.36 W (P≤.001), respectively. Moreover, the predicted mean power at t2 was significantly higher than that at t1 (P=.02). Furthermore, 79% of the total variance in mean power was attributable to differences between participants. The following equations were derived from the final model:
Thus, the mean power at baseline (t0) and after 3 months (t1) and 6 months (t2) of training could be predicted with the multilevel model. For example, after 3 months of training in the Fitkids program, the predicted mean power on the MPST for a child with a height of 150 cm would be 178.8 W (−405.62 + 17.38 + 3.78 × 150).
Muscle strength.
For the SLJ, height and weight were included in the final model as independent factors because these factors significantly influenced the model. A positive effect was found for height, whereas a negative effect was found for weight. Moreover, for the sit-ups, the final model included height because height significantly influenced the number of sit-ups. After 3 and 6 months of training, estimated improvements in the SLJ were 7.90 cm (P≤.001) and 8.52 cm (P≤.001), respectively. After 3 months of training, estimated improvements in the number of knee push-ups, the number of sit-ups, the duration of the wall sit, and the duration of the v-up were 4.58 (P≤.001), 3.45 (P≤.001), 6.96 seconds (P≤.001), and 9.27 seconds (P≤.001), respectively. After 6 months of training, estimated improvements were 4.54 (P≤.001), 3.38 (P≤.001), 8.85 seconds (P≤.001), and 13.27 seconds (P≤.001), respectively. No significant differences in muscle strength were found between t1 and t2. Moreover, 74% of the total variance in outcome on the SLJ was attributable to differences among participants. For the knee push-ups, sit-ups, wall sit, and v-up, the total variances in outcome attributable to differences among participants were 36%, 46%, 56%, and 55%, respectively. Furthermore, 3% of the total variance in outcome on the SLJ was attributable to differences among Fitkids centers. For the knee push-ups, sit-ups, wall sit, and v-up, the total variances in outcome attributable to differences among Fitkids centers were 34%, 29%, 21%, and 19%, respectively.
Activity.
The estimated model for the 6MWT is shown in Table 3. Because differences among Fitkids centers (level 3) did not significantly contribute to the variation in the 6MWD, this level was excluded from the final model. Thus, multilevel modeling for the 6MWT resulted in a 2-level model, with timing of the measurement defined as level 1 and participants defined as level 2. Height significantly influenced the model and, therefore, was included in the final model. Weight also significantly influenced the model, but the average score became insignificant after weight was added to the model; therefore, weight was not included in the final model. Sex did not significantly predict outcome on the 6MWT and, therefore, was not included in the final model. After 3 and 6 months of training, estimated improvements in the 6MWD were 22.9 m (P≤.001) and 35.7 m (P≤.001), respectively. No significant differences in the 6MWD were found between t1 and t2. Moreover, 78% of the total variance in the 6MWD was attributable to differences among participants.
HRQoL.
No significant intervention effects on self-reported and parent-reported family and social domains and on the self-reported total HRQoL score were found. Therefore, these domains were not included in the multilevel models. The estimated models for the self-reported and parent-reported physical and emotional domains and for the parent-reported total HRQoL score are shown in Table 5. Because differences among Fitkids centers (level 3) did not significantly contribute to the variation in outcome on the functional domains of quality of life, this level was excluded from the final model. Thus, multilevel modeling for the DUX-25 resulted in a 2-level model, with timing of the measurement defined as level 1 and participants defined as level 2. Participants' sex significantly influenced outcome on the self-reported physical domain and, therefore, was incorporated into the final model for this domain (boys=1; girls=0). After 3 months of training, estimated improvements in self-reported physical and emotional HRQoL were 1.32% (P=.48) and 3.90% (P=.05), respectively. After 6 months of training, estimated improvements in self-reported physical and emotional HRQoL were 4.64% (P≤.001) and 4.67% (P=.01), respectively. Estimated improvements in parent-reported physical and emotional HRQoL were 6.93% (P≤.001) and 3.08% (P=.09), respectively, after 3 months of training and 7.25% (P≤.001) and 5.40% (P≤.00), respectively, after 6 months of training. After 3 and 6 months of training, estimated improvements in the parent-reported total HRQoL score were 3.13% (P=.02) and 4.56% (P≤.00), respectively. No significant differences in self-reported and parent-reported HRQoL were found between t1 and t2. Moreover, 80% of the total variance in self-reported physical HRQoL and 72% of the total variance in self-reported emotional HRQoL were attributable to differences among participants. With regard to the Parent Form, 72% of the total variance in reported physical HRQoL and 73% of the total variance in reported emotional HRQoL were attributable to differences among participants. In addition, 79% of the total variance in the parent-reported total HRQoL score was attributable to differences among participants.
Multilevel Model for the DUX-25 Questionnairea
Discussion
The present study investigated the effects of the Fitkids exercise therapy program on health-related fitness, walking capacity, and HRQoL in children and adolescents with chronic conditions or disabilities in a random sample of Fitkids centers throughout the Netherlands. Significant improvements in aerobic fitness, anaerobic fitness, muscle strength, and walking capacity were found after 3 months of training. In addition, significant improvements in self-reported emotional HRQoL, parent-reported physical HRQoL, and parent-reported total HRQoL score were found after 3 months of training. After 6 months of training, significant improvements in self-reported physical HRQoL and parent-reported emotional HRQoL also were found.
Although there was a trend toward significant further improvements in walking capacity and muscle strength between 3 and 6 months of training, except for the knee push-ups and the sit-ups, significant further improvements during this period were found only for aerobic fitness and anaerobic fitness. A possible reason for the lack of significant improvements in muscle strength, walking capacity, and HRQoL during months 3 to 6 of the intervention period is the training frequency. Earlier research indicated that training for 1 hour per week is sufficient for maintaining the effects of training but is insufficient for producing further improvements in health outcomes.35 Another possible reason is the law of “diminishing returns”; there is a decline in the effectiveness of a training program after a certain level of fitness has been achieved.35
The results of the current study are in line with those found for diverse homogeneous pediatric patient groups. Verschuren et al4 found improvements in aerobic fitness and anaerobic fitness in children with cerebral palsy after an 8-month training program with standardized exercises for aerobic fitness and anaerobic fitness (a 25% increase in watts of mean power measured with the MPST); the increase in the present study was 20% (154.1 W at t0; 184.6 W at t2) (Figure). Nsenga Leunkeu et al36 found significant improvements in the 6MWD in children with cerebral palsy after 8 weeks of moderate walking exercise 3 times per week. Moreover, significant training effects on the 6MWD (an increase of 4.4%) after a supervised exercise training program in children with cystic fibrosis were found by Gruber et al.37 In the study by Basaran et al,38 the 6MWD in children with asthma improved 4% after a moderately intensive basketball training program for 8 weeks. In the present study, a 7.5% increase in the 6MWD was found after 6 months of training (535.3 m at t0; 575.5 m at t2) (Figure).
Although we found significant improvements in health-related fitness, walking capacity, physical HRQoL, and emotional HRQoL, the population of children and adolescents in the present study was heterogeneous, and studies referring to the measurement properties of the exercise tests used for many pediatric chronic conditions are scarce. Therefore, it is difficult to conclude whether the estimated improvements were clinically meaningful for an individual child.
The multilevel analysis used in the present study allowed us to identify the significant determinants that influence outcome. We chose to adjust the models for sex, weight, and height. From the literature, it is known that the main predictor variables for the 6MWD in adults who are healthy are sex, age, and height.39–41 The results of the present study showed height to be a significant predictor of the 6MWD. This relationship can be attributed to the longer lengths of steps in taller people. The length of the step is one of the main determinants in gait speed.42 Adding age along with height to our model did not result in a more optimal model fit, probably because of the strong association of height and age in our population. The reason for preferring height over age in our study was based on the assumption that children of the same chronological age vary in height on the basis of their maturity status; children who are more mature are taller than children who are less mature.
The multilevel model for the MPST showed that height was a significant independent predictor of mean power. This finding is consistent with the findings of Armstrong et al,43 who suggested that with growth (ie, the increases in height and weight and other body changes that occur as a child matures), power output increases.
Previous research44 indicated that jumping performance increased during growth in 11- to 16-year-old children. In our model, height and weight were found to be significant predictors of SLJ performance. It is likely that body dimensions significantly affect SLJ performance; for instance, taller people may jump farther than shorter people with the same leg muscle power. However, Veligekas45 concluded that anthropometric variables that were deemed to influence the SLJ, such as leg length, weight, and body mass index, did not contribute to SLJ performance in 9- to 12-year-old children. Body height contributed to SLJ performance only to a small degree in the study of Veligekas.45
Participants' sex was revealed to be a significant predictor of the self-reported physical HRQoL. This result indicated that the physical HRQoL at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of training differed significantly between boys and girls, with girls reporting a lower physical HRQoL than boys. This finding is in line with cross-sectional studies reporting that the HRQoL of girls in their early teenage years is significantly lower than that of boys, being mainly evident in the physical and psychological aspects of the HRQoL.46–48 These data provide evidence that girls may experience greater impairments in physical and psychological quality of life than boys. The higher reported physical HRQoL of boys may be due to their physical activities with peers, such as collective games and other leisure activities.49
Body height did not influence outcome on the half-Bruce treadmill test in our population. This result was somewhat surprising. We expected that children with short legs would have shorter endurance times than those with longer legs, so we expected to find a negative relationship between body height and endurance time on the half-Bruce treadmill test. However, the heterogeneity of our population may have affected this relationship.
For all test outcomes, a relatively high level 2 variance was found, indicating that a high level of the total variance in the test outcome was attributable to differences between participants. This result may have been due to the heterogeneous characteristics (eg, health status, disability, and age) of the included participants. Monitoring of the intervention effects in a larger sample of children and adolescents referred to the Fitkids program is warranted to identify subgroups for whom the exercise therapy program is more or less effective.
Differences among Fitkids centers (level 3) did not contribute to the variation in outcome on the 6MWT and the MPST, indicating that the differences between Fitkids centers did not contribute to the total variance in the test outcome. The Fitkids Foundation has organized several training days to educate physical therapists at Fitkids centers in the administration of various aerobic exercise tests. It appears that these training days have been useful and that the therapists are well educated in providing Fitkids training sessions as well as the administration of the exercise tests. The Fitkids Foundation will continue to supervise the centers with regard to whether they are adhering to the prescribed, standardized test manuals and will continue to organize supplementary training days. In addition, new therapists or Fitkids centers should receive thorough instructions about the outcome measures.
Differences among Fitkids centers (level 3) contributed to the variation in outcome on the various items of the strength subscale of the BOT-2. A possible explanation is that the physical therapists were less familiar with the administration of this test, leading to less standardized administration of the test and more variation in outcome.
A strength of the present study was that we included an unbiased clinical sample of children and adolescents who were referred to the Fitkids exercise therapy program. This sample was a reflection of the children and adolescents participating in the Fitkids program. It is known from the literature that, in general, the effects of interventions are overestimated in randomized clinical trials. An additional strength of the present study was the use of statistical multilevel methods, in which various measurements were allowed per participant. The absence of a control (waiting list) group may be considered a limitation of the present study because it is unknown what happens to children's health if no exercise training is given. In addition, the absence of a follow-up period may be considered a limitation of the present study. We are interested in gaining insight into the long-term effects of the Fitkids program on health-related fitness, walking capacity, and HRQoL as well as on activity and exercise participation.
Practical Implications
Through incorporation of the Fitkids exercise therapy program into pediatric physical therapist practice, physical therapists are able to help children with a chronic condition or disability overcome barriers to fitness and sports and improve their physical and mental health. These practices reflect the important role, recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association, that pediatric physical therapists should play in the promotion of health, wellness, and fitness among children.
In conclusion, the Fitkids exercise therapy program significantly improved health-related fitness, walking capacity, and HRQoL in children and adolescents with chronic conditions or disabilities. Future studies should investigate the long-term effects of the Fitkids exercise therapy program.
The Bottom Line
What do we already know about this topic?
We know that physical fitness is compromised in children and adolescents with chronic conditions or disabilities. We also know that these youngsters are less active than peers who are developing typically. As children and adolescents with a chronic condition or disability would benefit from physical activity or exercise training, it is necessary to promote participation of these children in fitness and activity programs. However, the number of exercise training programs designed specifically for children with disabilities is limited. In the Netherlands, an exercise therapy program (Fitkids) was developed to address the need for children and adolescents, aged 6 to 18 years, with a chronic condition or disability to become more active and to promote health-related fitness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in this population.
What new information does this study offer?
Fitkids is a nationwide program in the Netherlands that enables children to receive a graded exercise program supervised by pediatric physical therapists within their local community. Studies describing the effectiveness of such a large nationwide program have not been performed previous to this study. Study results suggest that children can improve their fitness, walking capacity, and self-reported emotional HRQoL.
If you're a patient or caregiver, what might these findings mean for you?
For a caregiver: By incorporating the Fitkids exercise therapy program into a pediatric therapist's practice, the therapist is able to help children with a chronic condition or disability to overcome barriers to fitness and sports and to improve their physical and mental health. These practices reflect the important role, recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association, that pediatric physical therapists should play in the promotion of health, wellness, and fitness among children.
For children (patients): By attending the Fitkids program, children and adolescents with chronic conditions or disabilities are able to improve their physical and mental health. Fitkids enables these individuals to train near their home.
Footnotes
Ms Kotte, Dr Winkler, and Dr Takken provided concept/idea/research design and project management. Ms Kotte, Dr de Groot, Dr Huijgen, and Dr Takken provided writing and data analysis. Ms Kotte provided data collection. Dr Winkler provided fund procurement and administrative support. Dr Takken provided facilities/equipment and institutional liaisons. Dr de Groot, Dr Winkler, and Dr Takken provided consultation (including review of manuscript before submission).
The authors acknowledge the pediatric physical therapists for data collection assistance and all children who participated in this study.
This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the University Medical Center Utrecht (number 11-325/C).
This study was financed by the Johan Cruyff Foundation, the Rabobank Foundation, and SIA RAAK (2011-13-035P).
- Received July 19, 2013.
- Accepted April 18, 2014.
- © 2014 American Physical Therapy Association
References
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