Exercise Capacity Vs. Mobile And Screen Time In Healthy Pediatric Population

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Exercise capacity is related to morbidity and mortality in the general population. Screen time is related to sedentary behavior and physical inactivity in children and adults. There is a paucity of data on screen time vs. exercise capacity using cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in children and adolescents. Our aim was to evaluate and compare exercise capacity using CPET and screen time in healthy pediatric population. METHODS: Cross-sectional retrospective study assessing daily screen time (questionnaire) and CPET (cycle ergometer). Screen time was analyzed as “total screen time”, “mobile devices” (smartphones and tablets) and “sedentary devices” (computer and television). RESULTS: Seventy-two healthy non-obese children (mean age 13.6 ± 3.4 y/o, 47% Female, BMI%tile 50 ± 30.3) were evaluated. Peak oxygen uptake (peak V˙O2 %predicted) was preserved (mean peak VO2%pred 98.8 ± 19.2%). A negative correlation was found between peak V˙O2 and “total screen time” (r=-0.32, p<0.007) and peak V˙O2 and “mobile devices” (r=-0.33, p<0.004) while no correlation was found for “sedentary devices”. CONCLUSIONS: “Mobile devices” and “total screen time” were negatively correlated with exercise capacity in pediatric healthy population. Children and adolescents should be encouraged to decrease daily screen time and highlight mobile technology. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to better study the impact of screen time on morbidity in children.