Physical activity and aerobic fitness in children with inherited cardiac diseases

Summary Background Because of sports and exercise restrictions, children with inherited cardiac disease are at risk of physical deconditioning. Guidelines on sports participation in cardiovascular disease have become less restrictive over time, but their real-life application and behavioural impact have seldom been evaluated in children. Aims We aimed to evaluate adherence to the 2020 European Society of Cardiology guidelines on sports and exercise in children with inherited cardiac arrhythmia and inherited cardiomyopathy; we also sought to evaluate their aerobic fitness, and the behavioural impact of inherited cardiac diseases on physical activity in children. Methods Children aged 6–18 years with inherited cardiomyopathy or inherited cardiac arrhythmia were eligible for this cross-sectional study. Clinical, demographic and qualitative data were analysed. Results A total of 32 children were included in the study (mean age 12.7 ± 3.5 years). Most children (81.3%) complied with the 2020 European Society of Cardiology guidelines; they were physically active and had good overall aerobic fitness, with a mean peak oxygen uptake (VO2) value of 36.5 ± 8.0 mL/kg/min (84.0 ± 17.2% of theoretical value). As a result of personal or parental behaviour, some children at risk of sudden cardiac death did not comply with the recommended upper limit of physical activity intensity, whereas others at low risk did not comply with the lower limit. Conclusion Most children with inherited cardiac arrhythmia or inherited cardiomyopathy complied with current 2020 European Society of Cardiology guidelines on sports cardiology and exercise in cardiovascular disease.