Exercise Programs: Enhancing Life Quality in Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disorder that damages the lungs and digestive system. This disease can be life-threatening. Life expectancy of this disease has improved over many years. In the article “Exercise programs for children with cystic fibrosis: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials”, author Nancy Van Doorn reviews evidence of aerobic, strength, and anaerobic exercise in relation to improving pulmonary function in children. Studies were done with least to severe cases of cystic fibrosis in patients.. Different forms of exercising were examined, such as running, weight strengthening, treadmills, and etc. Aerobics and resistance training seemed to yield the best results for children suffering with mild or severe cystic

fibrosis.
Though exercise is helpful for pulmonary function, one may question if this may also be hurtful for a child suffering with cystic fibrosis. Salt is extremely important for patients with cystic fibrosis. They lose higher amounts of salt when they sweat than someone without this disease. Salt is needed for nerve cell health, muscle function, and for improving the flow of fluid into cells. I have witnessed first hand, a child with cystic fibrosis becoming ill after being exposed to heat from playing outside, due to excessive loss of salt. This child was hospitalized for fever and dehydration. Though this child is now in her late twenties, she still has to limit herself on exercise and exposure to heat. Therefore, one may question this study when no wording of the importance of retaining salt was considered in this study, nor the impact of losing too much salt while participating in such vigorous exercise.
Thankfully, children with cystic fibrosis that require care on a daily basis, do have a better quality of life and are now living longer due to advancements in technology and medicines.