Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6221485 | The Journal of Pediatrics | 2015 | 7 Pages |
ObjectivesTo compare objectively measured physical activity in 11- and 15-year-old children who were born preterm with term-born controls and related physical activity measures to lung function measures.Study designWe used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. We compared total physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and sedentary behavior between children born at 25-32, 33-34, 35-36, and 37-43Â weeks' gestation at ages 11 and 15Â years. At age 11Â years, physical activity measures were correlated with lung spirometry recorded at age 7-9Â years.ResultsValid physical activity data at age 11Â years were available for 5025, 197, 57, and 48 children born at 37-43, 35-36, 33-34, and 25-32Â weeks' gestation, respectively. At age 15Â years, valid physical activity data were available for 1829, 62, 32, and 24 children born at 37-43, 35-36, 33-34, and 25-32Â weeks' gestation. Boys were more physically active than girls at both ages. There were no differences in total physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, or sedentary behavior in children between the different gestation groups. Physical activity at age 11Â years did not correlate with spirometry measures at age 7-9Â years.ConclusionsPhysical activity was similar for the different gestational groups and did not correlate with lung spirometry. Physical activity does not appear to be limited in preterm-born children despite lung function deficits noted in childhood.