Physical activity in Norwegian teenagers and young adults with haemophilia A compared to general population peers

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionLimited evidence exists on objectively measured habitual physical activity (PA) of young people with haemophilia (PWH).AimsTo compare different outcomes of objective PA between young PWH A and controls using a commercial activity tracker.MethodsWe enrolled males aged 13–30 years with moderate and severe haemophilia A, without inhibitors on regular prophylaxis. PA was measured with the activity tracker Fitbit Charge 3 for 12 weeks. Control group data was obtained from ≈60,000 Fitbit users, matched on age, sex and measurement period. PA variables [steps, intensities, volume, activity types, exercise frequencies and proportion meeting the World Health Organization's moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA) recommendations] were compared between groups descriptively and using Welch's two‐sample t‐test and two‐sample test of proportions.ResultsForty PWH A were enrolled (mean age 19.5 years, 50% teenagers, 50% adults, three (7.5%) with moderate and 37 (92.5%) with severe haemophilia). Mean daily steps and minutes MVPA were similar between PWH and controls. PWH spent more time in light PA (mean 227 vs. 192 min/day, P = .033) and exercised more frequently (mean 5.6 vs. 3.9 exercise sessions/week, P < .001). Among teenagers, 40% PWH and 8% controls reached MVPA recommendations, compared to 95% and 100% among adults. The most common type of PA was walking.ConclusionThis cohort of young PWH A on prophylactic treatment had PA levels comparable to controls. Still, a considerable proportion of teenagers did not meet the recommended weekly volume of MVPA, and we encourage clinicians to have a particular focus on promoting PA for this group.