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Paediatric exercise training in prevention and treatment
  1. Guido E Pieles1,2,
  2. Richard Horn3,
  3. Craig A Williams3,
  4. A Graham Stuart1
  1. 1Congenital Heart Unit, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children/Bristol Heart Institute, Upper Maudlin St, Bristol, UK
  2. 2National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, UK
  3. 3Children's Health & Exercise Research Centre (CHERC), College of Life and Environmental Sciences, St.Luke's Campus, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Guido E Pieles, Congenital Heart Unit, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children/Bristol Heart Institute, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol BS2 8BJ, UK; guido.pieles{at}bristol.ac.uk, guido.pieles{at}UHBristol.nhs.uk

Abstract

Exercise training is an underused intervention in paediatric healthcare. This is surprising, since initial evidence demonstrates its effectiveness and safety; furthermore it confers socioeconomic benefits for healthcare systems. Pilot studies have assessed and confirmed the feasibility of exercise training in many paediatric disease settings. However, more research is needed to understand the pathophysiology, quantify treatment effects and monitor outcomes. A concerted effort from researchers, health professionals and police makers will be necessary to make exercise training an evidence-based and cost-effective intervention in paediatric care.

Keywords
  • physical activity
  • exercise training
  • prevention
  • rehabilitation
  • exercise medicine

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