Relationship between physical activity and functional ability in school-aged children with hemophilia

IntroductionWith the advances in clotting factor replacement therapy children with hemophilia are increasingly encouraged to participate in physical activities and sports. Despite this positive trend, children with hemophilia still tend to be less physically fit than their healthy peers.AimThe main purpose of this study was to assess physical activity in school-aged children with hemophilia and its association with their functional ability, joint health and physical parameters.Material and methodsResearch material consisted of 24 boys aged 7–17 (mean 12.58±3.01 years) with severe or moderate hemophilia A or B. Weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were measured. Subjects activity level was assessed with Pediatric version of Hemophilia Activities List (PedHAL), joint health with Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS version 2.1), functional ability with a Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT).Results and discussionIn Lithuanian children with hemophilia reduced physical activity (mean 83.64±11.40 scores) and functional ability (mean 408.46±68.58 m) were revealed. Strong negative correlation was found between PedHAL and HJHS scores (r=−0.962, p<.0001), HJHS and 6MWT (r=−0.938, p<.0001), strong correlation between PedHAL and 6MWT (r=0.903, p<.0001) scores. Distance walked displayed inverse correlation with age (r=−0.858, p<.0001), height (r=−0.788, p<.0001) and weight (r=−0.894, p<.0001).ConclusionsLithuanian children with hemophilia showed reduced physical activity and functional ability when compared with their healthy peers. The less joint impairments the subject had, the higher level of their physical activity and functional ability was. Age, height and weight were determinants of 6 minutes walking distance.