Pilot evaluation of physical and psychological effects of a physical trek programme including a dog sledding expedition in children and teenagers with cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility and to measure the effects of a six-week-long adapted physical activity programme (APAP), including 5 days of intense dog sledding, on the physical and psychological health of children and adolescents treated for cancer.


METHODS
Eleven children and teenagers (4 girls, 7 boys; mean age 14.3 ± 2.9 years) participated in this monocentric pilot programme of adapted physical activities from February 2013 to March 2013. Seven were still on treatment. The programme lasted 6 weeks. A series of physical tests and psychological questionnaires were carried out before and after the programme.


RESULTS
All children and teenagers completed the full programme. An improvement in all physical and psychological parameters was observed. Statistically significant differences were observed for global self-esteem (6.2 ± 2.1 to 7.7 ± 1.8; p = 0.02), perceived sport competence (5.3 ± 3.2 to 7.4 ± 2; p = 0.02) and perceived physical strength (5.6 ± 2.5 to 7.1 ± 1.8; p = 0.001). Regarding physical tests, the physical training led to statistically significant improvement for sit-ups (13.8 ± 2.6 to 21.75 ± 5.4; p = 0.01), muscle tone (76 ± 23.7 to 100 ± 22.9; p = 0.01), and resting heart rate (96.1 ± 3.2 to 91.6 ± 4.5; p = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
This programme is feasible in children and adolescents even during their oncologic treatment. During the 6-week programme, children and adolescents improved their physical and psychological health, and the putative benefits of the APAP are discussed. A larger randomised trial started in 2014.
Association 'Sourire à la Vie', Marseille 13016, France ; Research Unit EA 3279 and Department of Public Health, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille 13005, France.
Clothilde
C
Vallet
Association 'Sourire à la Vie', Marseille 13016, France ; Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Hôpital de la Timone Enfant, Marseille 13005, France ; Aix Marseille Université, Inserm, CRO2 UMR_S 911, Marseille 13005, France.
Nicolas
N
André
Association 'Sourire à la Vie', Marseille 13016, France ; Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Hôpital de la Timone Enfant, Marseille 13005, France.
Jean-Claude
JC
Gentet
Association 'Sourire à la Vie', Marseille 13016, France ; Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Hôpital de la Timone Enfant, Marseille 13005, France.
Arnauld
A
Verschuur
Association 'Sourire à la Vie', Marseille 13016, France ; Research Unit EA 3279 and Department of Public Health, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille 13005, France ; Aix Marseille Université, Inserm, CRO2 UMR_S 911, Marseille 13005, France.
Gérard
G
Michel
Association 'Sourire à la Vie', Marseille 13016, France.
Frédéric
F
Sotteau
Association 'Sourire à la Vie', Marseille 13016, France.
Cécile
C
Martha
Faculty of Sport Sciences, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille 13009, France.
Laurent
L
Grélot
children; general physical preparation; health; leukaemia; oncology; physical fitness; self-esteem; solid tumour; sport