Children With Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot Spend Less Time in Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity Than Healthy References

PURPOSE: Physical activity (PA) is important for well-being and prevention of acquired cardiovascular disease, including in patients with congenital heart disease. However, research on objectively measured PA in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rToF) is scarce. This study aims to describe PA in children with rToF, compare it to European reference data, and assess its relation to clinical parameters (right ventricle function, peak oxygen uptake, lung function, and muscle strength) and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: We measured PA with an accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. The PA intensity levels and daily minutes per intensity level were classified based on vertical axis counts per minute. Age- and sex-based PA Z scores were compared with the reference Z score of 0. Linear regression was performed to assess relations between PA and clinical parameters and QoL, correcting for age and sex. RESULTS: Forty-two patients with rToF spent a median (interquartile range) of 527 (457, 588) and 34 (21, 51) min/d in sedentary and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), respectively. Children with rToF spent less time performing MVPA compared with healthy reference data (P = .002). We could not demonstrate associations between PA and right ventricle function, peak oxygen uptake, muscle strength, pulmonary function, body mass index, or QoL (P > .05 for all analyses). CONCLUSIONS: Children with rToF are less active compared with healthy reference data, which could not be associated with clinical parameters or QoL. Further research into determinants and effects of PA beyond physical factors is needed to assess how we can improve physical capabilities in children with rToF.