Is higher physical fitness associated with better psychological health in young pediatric cancer survivors? A cross‐sectional study from the iBoneFIT project

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the associations of self‐perceived and objectively‐measured physical fitness with psychological well‐being and distress indicators in young pediatric cancer survivors.Materials and MethodsA total of 116 participants (12.1 ± 3.3 years, 56.9% boys) from the iBoneFIT project participated in this cross‐sectional study. Objectively‐measured physical fitness (muscular fitness) was obtained by handgrip strength and standing long jump tests for the upper and lower body, respectively. Self‐perceived physical fitness was obtained by the International Fitness Scale (IFIS). Positive and negative affect were assessed by the positive affect schedule for children (PANAS‐C), happiness by Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), optimism by Life Orientation Test‐Revised (LOT‐R), self‐esteem by the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale (RSE), anxiety by State–Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC‐R), and depression by Children Depression Inventory (CDI). Multiple linear regressions adjusted by key covariates were performed to analyze associations.ResultsNo associations were found between objectively‐measured muscular fitness and any of the psychological well‐being and distress indicators (p > 0.05). Self‐perceived overall fitness and flexibility were positively associated with positive affect (β ≥ 0.258, p < 0.05). Self‐perceived cardiorespiratory fitness, speed/agility, and flexibility were negatively associated with depression (β ≥ −0.222, p < 0.05). Finally, self‐perceived cardiorespiratory fitness was also negatively associated with anxiety and negative affect (β ≥ −0.264, p < 0.05).ConclusionsPerceived physical fitness, but not objectively physical fitness, seems to be inversely related to psychological distress variables and to less extent positively related to psychological well‐being. The findings from this study highlight the importance of promoting self‐perceived fitness in the pediatric oncology population.