Investigating the relationship between balance, functional exercise capacity, and muscle function in children with cystic fibrosis

<bold>Background:</bold> Respiratory and musculoskeletal impairments in cystic fibrosis (CF) may affect balance. However, the relationship between these impairments and balance is poorly understood in children with CF. <bold>Aim:</bold> The aim of this study was to assess the balance of children with CF and investigate the relationship between balance, exercise capacity, and quadriceps muscle function in CF. <bold>Material-method:</bold> Fourty-four patients with CF (mean age 12.1±3.1 years, 21 girls/23 boys) were included in the study. Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was used to evaluate dynamic balance. Functional exercise capacity was assessed using the 6-minute walking test (6MWT). Quadriceps muscle function was evaluated using the one-minute sit to stand test (1MSTST). All tests were conducted in the same day with a sufficient period of rest between tests to allow patients to recover. <bold>Results:</bold> Mean FEV₁ (% predicted) was 91.9±17.4. Mean time of TUG test was 6.9±0.9 s, the 6MWT distance 490.2±48.8 m, and the number of sit-to-stand repetitions was 26±5. The TUG test time was moderately and negatively correlated with 6MWT distance (r=-0.43, p=0.004). No significant correlation was found between TUG test time and number of repetitions (r=0.16, p=0.301). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Balance was related with exercise capacity in children with CF, but not quadriceps muscle function, although exact reasons are unclear for these differing associations. Exercise programs aimed at increasing functional capacity may also improve balance in children with CF, but further studies are needed to investigate this possible effect.