Evidence for prescribing exercise as treatment in pediatric rheumatic diseases.
There has been an increasing recognition of adverse short-, mid-, or long-term effects associated with the treatment as well as the disease itself that impair the health-related quality of life and functional capacity of children and adolescents with rheumatic diseases. Interestingly, cumulative evidence has suggested that exercise training may benefit patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile dermatomyositis and juvenile fibromyalgia, attenuating several clinical symptoms related to physical disability. Remarkably, recent evidence also suggests that exercise may have direct effects on the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases by attenuating chronic low-grade systemic inflammation. It is also important to emphasize that no exercise-related adverse effects have been reported. This short review provides the evidence for physical training as a treatment of pediatric rheumatic diseases, introducing a novel concept that exercise is a treatment for these populations.
Gualano
Bruno
B
Universidade de São Paulo, School of Physical Education and Sports, Brazil. gualano@usp.br
Sá Pinto
Ana Lucia
AL
Perondi
Beatriz
B
Leite Prado
Danilo Marcelo
DM
Omori
Clarissa
C
Almeida
Roberta Tavares
RT
Sallum
Adriana Maluf Elias
AM
Silva
Clovis Artur Almeida
CA
D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy*