Relationship between functional ability and physical fitness in juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients.

Objective: To determine the relationship between aerobic and anaerobic physical fitness and functional ability in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods: Eighteen children with JIA (age 7 to 14 yr., 3 male/15 female) performed a maximal aerobic exercise test and a Wingate anaerobic exercise test. Functional ability was concurrently assessed using the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ).

Results: A low relationship between aerobic fitness and functional ability was found (r = 0.0 to 0.4, p > 0.05, except for eating r = 0.46, p < 0.05). The correlations between anaerobic physical fitness and functional ability in JIA patients were strong (r = 0.5 to 0.75, p < 0.05). This indicated a good relationship between anaerobic fitness and functional ability.

Conclusion: The strong association between anaerobic physical fitness and functional ability showed the importance of anaerobic physical fitness for children with JIA.