title: Factors associated with low physical activity levels following pediatric cardiac transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Objectively measured MVPA levels following pediatric cardiac transplantation are unknown despite physical health implications. We sought to determine factors associated with MVPA in a pediatric cohort who had undergone cardiac transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study assessments included maximal exercise testing (VO(2) max), accelerometry, and physical activity (HAES) and functional health status (CHQ-PF50) questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants (n = 20, 60% male, age: 11.8 ± 3.0 yr old) had a VO(2) max of 28.5 ± 6.8 mL/kg/min (%-predicted: 65 ± 14%) and maximal heart rate of 154 ± 16 beats/min (%-predicted: 73 ± 7.5%). Participants performed a median of 7.6 min/day (Q1 4.0 min/day, Q3 11.0 min/day) of MVPA. Each additional year of age at transplantation was associated with a decrease of 1.9 [1.0] min/day of MVPA (p = 0.07). Predicted VO(2) max, maximal power output, male sex, and age at study enrollment were not associated with an increase in MVPA. Parents' perception of their child's functional health status (CHQ-PF50) was lower on general health (p < 0.01) and family activity (p < 0.01) domains relative to a population-based cohort of parents reporting on healthy children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pediatric cardiac transplantation recipients may be indicated to participate in cardiac rehabilitation to optimize physical activity levels.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Labatt Family Heart Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Banks
authors.forename: Anne I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Dipchand
authors.forename: Cedric
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Manlhiot
authors.forename: Kyle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Millar
authors.forename: Brian W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: McCrindle
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy; D006339:Heart Rate; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen