Effect of various training on exercise capacity and lung functions in cystic fibrosis patients: a systematic review

The purpose of this review is to investigate the effects of various exercise training interventions on cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. We conducted electronic database search from SCOPUS, PubMed and Web of science from 01.01.2000 till 28.03.2022. Among 484 articles retrieved, 9 were found to be eligible for our review. Studies which investigated the effect of exercise training on exercise capacity (VO2peak), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), oxygen saturation (SpO2), peak heart rate (HRpeak), peak work rate (WRpeak) and peak minute ventilation (VEpeak) were included. The quality assessment was done using a Cochrane risk of bias tool and all the studies demonstrated high risk of bias. Three studies demonstrated improvement in exercise capacity (VO2peak) post training. One study demonstrated significant improvement in WRpeak post training. Two studies demonstrated significant improvement in pulmonary function. The review suggested that exercise training has proven to be an effective tool in improving pulmonary function and exercise capacity in individuals with CF and can be considered to use in clinical settings. CF population can benefit from long term exercise training program.