Results Overall , exercise intolerance is prevalent in pediatric chronic disease .
Background Physical activity ( PA ) is associated with a diverse range of health benefits .
International guidelines suggest that children should be participating in a minimum of 60 min of moderate to vigorous intensity PA per day to achieve these benefits .
However , current guidelines are intended for healthy children , and thus may not be applicable to children with a chronic disease .
Specifically , the dose of PA and disease specific exercise considerations are not included in these guidelines , leaving such children with few , if any , evidence -based informed suggestions pertaining to PA .
Thus , the purpose of this narrative review was to consider current literature in the area of exercise as medicine and provide practical applications for exercise in five prevalent pediatric chronic diseases : respiratory , congenital heart , metabolic , systemic inflammatory/autoimmune , and cancer .
Effects of physical therapy intervention for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of physical therapy intervention in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia ( ALL ) . PROCEDURE Twenty-eight children aged 4 - 15 years were r and omly assigned to an intervention or control group . The intervention group received five sessions of physical therapy and was instructed to perform an individualized home exercise program consisting of ankle dorsiflexion stretching , lower extremity strengthening , and aerobic exercise . RESULTS After 4 months children who received physical therapy intervention had significantly improved ankle dorsiflexion active range of motion and knee extension strength ( P < 0.01 ) . Differences were not found between the two groups for any of the other dependent variables . CONCLUSIONS Physical therapy intervention for children with ALL receiving maintenance chemotherapy improved two body functions important for normal gait .  Physical therapy programs initiated earlier in treatment and with greater emphasis on endurance activities may also improve stamina and quality of life ( QOL )
Results Overall , exercise intolerance is prevalent in pediatric chronic disease .
Background Physical activity ( PA ) is associated with a diverse range of health benefits .
International guidelines suggest that children should be participating in a minimum of 60 min of moderate to vigorous intensity PA per day to achieve these benefits .
However , current guidelines are intended for healthy children , and thus may not be applicable to children with a chronic disease .
Specifically , the dose of PA and disease specific exercise considerations are not included in these guidelines , leaving such children with few , if any , evidence -based informed suggestions pertaining to PA .
Thus , the purpose of this narrative review was to consider current literature in the area of exercise as medicine and provide practical applications for exercise in five prevalent pediatric chronic diseases : respiratory , congenital heart , metabolic , systemic inflammatory/autoimmune , and cancer .