title: [Aerobic fitness and cardiorespiratory function of pediatric cancer survivors].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Overall, more than 80% of children diagnosed with cancer will survive their immediate disease. This growing group of childhood cancer survivors is at an increased risk for several chronic diseases and increased mortality. Physical activity is a well-known and powerful means to reduce such complications, yet many children are not active as recommended. Furthermore, the complex treatments might adversely affect the heart and lungs, possibly limiting physical performance.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To measure aerobic fitness among childhood cancer survivors, while assessing maximal cardiac and respiratory functions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen children (mean age 11.5 +/- 2.1 years, 50% males) who had completed medical treatment for cancer, and 16 healthy children, performed a cardiorespiratory exercise test on a bicycle ergometer until exhaustion. Peak oxygen uptake, O2 pulse and several ventilatory parameters were measured and compared between the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean maximal load obtained by the cancer survivor group was lower than expected, compared with controls (89% +/- 19 vs. 101/% +/- 18, p = 0.055). Peak oxygen consumption was also lower, with a marginal statistical significance (33.3 +/- 7.5 vs. 38.9 +/- 9.7 ml O2/kg/min, p = 0.075), yet was significantly lower when expressed as a percent of age- and sex- appropriate norms [78% +/- 15 vs. 94% +/- 16, p = 0.0081. Cardiac and respiratory functions were normal in all children, with no between-group differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that aerobic fitness is lower in children who have survived cancer, with no evidence of significant cardiac or lung damage. Given the importance of regular physical activity for this at-risk population, it should be continuously encouraged, while administering a personally tailored exercise prescription.
authors: Exercise, Nutrition and Lifestyle Clinic, The Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. gal.dubnov-raz@sheba.health.gov.il
authors: Gal
authors: G
authors: Dubnov-Raz
authors: Meital
authors: M
authors: Azar
authors: Ronen
authors: R
authors: Reuveny
authors: Naama W
authors: NW
authors: Constantini
authors: Uriel
authors: U
authors: Katz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005080:Exercise Test; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology; D017741:Survivors