Improvement of Aerobic Capacity in Cystic Fibrosis Patients With a One-year Home Training Period
Improvement of Aerobic Capacity in Cystic Fibrosis Patients With a One-year Home Training Period
Life expectancy of patients with cystic fibrosis has improved dramatically the last few
 years. Respiratory complications remain the main contributory factor to the morbidity and
 mortality associated with the disease. Exercise tolerance is reduced as the disease
 progresses, and peak aerobic capacity seems to be linked with survival. Regular physical
 activity has positive benefits, including a better body image, an improvement of pulmonary
 function, of exercise capacity and a possible improvement of quality of life.But because of
 the considerable variability of the subjects, exercise programs should be tailored to
 individual needs, and easy included in their cumbersome treatment routines and professional
 activities. In the cystic fibrosis center of Strasbourg we are able to propose to the
 patients a one-year physical exercise program, partly supervised with coaches, at home.
 Electronically braked cycle ergometer and heart rate monitoring system are at patients
 disposal, for one year, at home. Thus, patients can choose, during the day, the best moment
 to work out .Subjects will be randomised in two groups:1. a control group, where subjects are
 asked to continue their normal daily activities and physiotherapy regime.2. a training group,
 where subjects are asked to exercise three times a week. For the training group, three times
 a week, patients will train for 30 minutes. Heart rate will be continuously monitored and
 send to the medical staff every week-end . A correction of exercise intensity, if needed, is
 weekly proposed to maintain a maximal training efficiency, and coaches can help them, if
 necessary. For the two groups, quality of life will be measured with a disease-specific
 questionnaire (CFQ14+) (Henry, 1998, Quittner, 2000), and a generic questionnaire (SF 36)
 (Gee, 2002) before the program, and after 6 and 12 months. After a one year training program,
 and compared to the control group, we should expected an improvement in aerobic capacity and
 peak oxygen consumption, both associated with improved prognosis in cystic fibrosis. We also
 expected to observe an improvement in quality of life measurement, shorter hospital stays and
 fewer exacerbations. With this kind of program, we also would like to improve the degree of
 adherence in daily life exercise.
We hope that regular contact with the coaches or the medical staff will provide
 self-confidence. Thus, patients will probably be more able to choose a physical activity
 which will be enjoyable, shared with others (family, friends), and give real benefits in term
 of health status.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Man or woman with cystic fibrosis whose diagnosis was documented on clinical history
 and a test for detecting genetic or sweat test positive

 -  Patient who signed the informed consent (or parents for patients minors)

 -  Elderly aged 15 and over

 -  Patient affiliated with a social security

 -  Patient against non-cardiac indication of physical

 -  Patient in stable condition on a respirator with a higher FEV to 1000 ml

 -  In the case of insulin-dependent diabetes, it must be balanced

 -  Patient had been informed of the results of the medical examination

 -  Women of childbearing age have achieved a pregnancy test on urine negative.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Diabetic patient unbalanced known cardiac pathology

 -  Patient on transplant list

 -  Patient major protected

 -  Patient under guardianship or trusteeship

 -  Safeguard patient justice