title: Physical activity recommendations for children with specific chronic health conditions: juvenile idiopathic arthritis, hemophilia, asthma, and cystic fibrosis.
abstract: As a group, children with a chronic disease or disability are less active than their healthy peers. There are many reasons for suboptimal physical activity, including biological, psychological, and social factors. Furthermore, the lack of specific guidelines for 'safe' physical activity participation poses a barrier to increasing activity. Physical activity provides significant general health benefits and may improve disease outcomes. Each child with a chronic illness should be evaluated by an experienced physician for activity counselling and for identifying any contraindications to participation. The present statement reviews the benefits and risks of participation in sport and exercise for children with juvenile arthritis, hemophilia, asthma, and cystic fibrosis. Guidelines for participation are included.
authors.affiliation: Canadian Paediatric Society, Healthy Active Living and Sports Medicine Committee, and the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine, Pediatric Sport and Exercise Medicine Committee. jfp@sympatico.ca
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Philpott
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Houghton
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luke
mesh_terms: D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment