The focus on management of children with congenital and acquired heart diseases (C-AHD) has shifted from acute survival to optimization of long-term outcomes. Participation in regular physical activity (PA) and exercise is important for the growth, development, and cardiometabolic health of all children including those with C-AHD. Many children and adolescents with C-AHD participate in less moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA than peers without cardiac disease, resulting in a greater prevalence of sedentary lifestyles and exacerbating the impairments in cardiorespiratory capacity associated with their disease. Although some trials have described benefits of clinical exercise interventions (cardiac rehab) in C-AHD, few studies have explored effective approaches to increase habitual physical activity and the subsequent benefits on growth, development, and cardiometabolic health. Underlying physiology, disease course and comorbidities may limit some of these children from participating in PA. Additionally, psychosocial factors and inconsistent messaging from the health care team may negatively influence PA.
Expanding our knowledge in the areas of exercise and PA assessment, activity physiology and psychology, mental and physical rehabilitation, motor skill development, physical literacy and the behavioral aspects of PA may provide important information to guide the care of children with C-AHD. Research in patients with C-AHD has demonstrated that physical activity, exercise, and cardiorespiratory fitness have significant effects on physiologic function, psychosocial wellbeing, and notable long-term outcomes (e.g., hospitalization, transplant, and mortality). However, there is little research describing effective approaches for assessing and intervening on physical activity and exercise participation, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Thus, the aim of this collection is to add to the body of work in the field of pediatric exercise medicine in C-AHD. Research topics will highlight traditional and novel techniques for exercise and physical activity assessment, physical and mental rehabilitation, expanding our knowledge of activity physiology and psychology, using advanced methods to assess and intervene to support physical activity, physical literacy and motor skill development and evaluating the behavioral aspects of physical activity in children with congenital and acquired heart diseases will provide a comprehensive update to the field.
Exercise and Fitness in Pediatric Congenital and Acquired Heart Disease
-Pathophysiology contributors to exercise limitation
-Impact of cardiorespiratory fitness on major adverse events in C-AHD
-Psychosocial contributors to exercise limitation
-Assessment of cardiovascular exercise capacity / fitness
-Assessment of health-related fitness (strength, flexibility, balance, body composition)
-Exercise and fitness training
-Physiological, neurodevelopment and psychosocial adaptations to exercise and fitness training
Physical Activity in Pediatric Congenital and Acquired Heart Disease
-Quality of Life and psychosocial factors that influence physical activity
-Physical literacy
The focus on management of children with congenital and acquired heart diseases (C-AHD) has shifted from acute survival to optimization of long-term outcomes. Participation in regular physical activity (PA) and exercise is important for the growth, development, and cardiometabolic health of all children including those with C-AHD. Many children and adolescents with C-AHD participate in less moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA than peers without cardiac disease, resulting in a greater prevalence of sedentary lifestyles and exacerbating the impairments in cardiorespiratory capacity associated with their disease. Although some trials have described benefits of clinical exercise interventions (cardiac rehab) in C-AHD, few studies have explored effective approaches to increase habitual physical activity and the subsequent benefits on growth, development, and cardiometabolic health. Underlying physiology, disease course and comorbidities may limit some of these children from participating in PA. Additionally, psychosocial factors and inconsistent messaging from the health care team may negatively influence PA.
Expanding our knowledge in the areas of exercise and PA assessment, activity physiology and psychology, mental and physical rehabilitation, motor skill development, physical literacy and the behavioral aspects of PA may provide important information to guide the care of children with C-AHD. Research in patients with C-AHD has demonstrated that physical activity, exercise, and cardiorespiratory fitness have significant effects on physiologic function, psychosocial wellbeing, and notable long-term outcomes (e.g., hospitalization, transplant, and mortality). However, there is little research describing effective approaches for assessing and intervening on physical activity and exercise participation, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Thus, the aim of this collection is to add to the body of work in the field of pediatric exercise medicine in C-AHD. Research topics will highlight traditional and novel techniques for exercise and physical activity assessment, physical and mental rehabilitation, expanding our knowledge of activity physiology and psychology, using advanced methods to assess and intervene to support physical activity, physical literacy and motor skill development and evaluating the behavioral aspects of physical activity in children with congenital and acquired heart diseases will provide a comprehensive update to the field.
Exercise and Fitness in Pediatric Congenital and Acquired Heart Disease
-Pathophysiology contributors to exercise limitation
-Impact of cardiorespiratory fitness on major adverse events in C-AHD
-Psychosocial contributors to exercise limitation
-Assessment of cardiovascular exercise capacity / fitness
-Assessment of health-related fitness (strength, flexibility, balance, body composition)
-Exercise and fitness training
-Physiological, neurodevelopment and psychosocial adaptations to exercise and fitness training
Physical Activity in Pediatric Congenital and Acquired Heart Disease
-Quality of Life and psychosocial factors that influence physical activity
-Physical literacy
