Effect of Daily Short Bouts of Trampoline Exercise During 8 Weeks on the Pulmonary Function and the Maximal Oxygen Uptake of Children with Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract

Six girls and two boys with cystic fibrosis (CF) 10-13.5 years of age (mean 11.5 years) participated in a prescribed exercise program on a mini-trampoline, maximum 109 min/week, during 8 weeks. The training consisted of three short bouts of trampoline exercise. The CF children were divided into two groups. The first group was a control as the other group exercised on the trampoline and vice versa. Three patients in each group completed the study.

Pulmonary and exercise tests were performed before and after the exercise/control periods. The pulmonary tests (FVC, FEVj, and PEFR) showed minor changes during the exercise period, but a slight increase in FVC (P < 0.05) during the total time of the study was found. The two patients with more advanced lung disease improved their Spirometrie results during the training period. The maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O₂max) improved from 45 to 49 ml/kg/ min (P < 0.025) during the exercise period.

Trampoline exercise programs are suggested to supply other types of training to avoid monotony in the training for CF patients.

Key words

Cystic fibrosis - exercise - training - lung function - work capacity - trampoline