Physical function and fitness in long-term survivors of childhood leukaemia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the physical function and fitness in survivors of childhood leukaemia 5-6 years after cessation of chemotherapy.


METHODS
Thirteen children (six boys and seven girls; mean age 15.5 years) who were treated for leukaemia were studied 5-6 years after cessation of therapy. Physical function and fitness were determined by anthropometry, motor performance, muscle strength, anaerobic and aerobic exercise capacity.


RESULTS
On motor performance, seven of the 13 patients showed significant problems in the hand-eye co-ordination domain. Muscle strength only showed a significantly lower value in the mean strength of the knee extensors. The aerobic and the anaerobic capacity were both significantly reduced compared to reference values.


CONCLUSIONS
Even 5-6 years after cessation of childhood leukaemia treatment, there are still clear late effects on motor performance and physical fitness. Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy and muscle atrophies are probably the prominent cause for these reduced test results. Physical training might be indicated for patients surviving leukaemia to improve fitness levels and muscle strength.
van Brussel
Marco
M
Department of Paediatric Physical Therapy & Exercise Physiology, University Hospital for Children and Youth Wilhelmina Kinderziekenhuis, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Takken
Tim
T
van der Net
Janjaap
J
Engelbert
Raoul H H
RH
Bierings
Marc
M
Schoenmakers
Marja A G C
MA
Helders
Paul J M
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000209:etiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010809:Physical Fitness; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013534:Survival