A survey of exercise testing and training in UK cystic fibrosis clinics

Background: Exercise testing is a valuable prognostic tool and exercise training has many health benefits in cystic fibrosis (CF). The objective of this study was to survey the provision of exercise testing and training in UK CF clinics.

Methods: A three-page questionnaire was used to determine the extent of, scope and importance assigned to exercise testing and training.

Results: Data from returned questionnaires showed that 38.9% of paediatric and 27.8% of adult patients had performed an exercise test in the preceding 12 months, most as part of an annual review process. Pulmonary rehabilitation programmes were accessible in only 31.3% of clinics, and only 26.0% provide exercise training programmes. When assigning importance for exercise testing on a scale from 1 'not important' to 5 'very important', the mean and median respondent scores were 3.5 and 4.0, respectively, and for the importance of training were 4.0 and 4.0, respectively.

Conclusions: Despite the level of importance given to exercise testing and training by healthcare providers, exercise is underused as either an assessment tool or therapeutic intervention in the healthcare of patients with CF in the UK.