Physical fitness and cardiac function in childhood cancer survivors

Abstract

Childhood cancer treatment has long-term health sequelae but there is more controversy for physical fitness. We compared fitness and echocardiographic variables in childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) and controls. A secondary aim was to determine the potential role of previous enrollment in inpatient exercise, and of current physical activity (PA) levels. CCSs showed impairments in some physical fitness and cardiac parameters ≥ 4 yrs posttreatment, which seemed independent of previous inpatient exercise background but not of MVPA/VPA levels after treatment.