Prone immersion physical exercise therapy in three children with cystic fibrosis: a pilot study.

Prone immersion physical exercise therapy has been used successfully in the physical 
rehabilitation of middle-aged adults with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary 
disease. The purpose of this pilot project was to evaluate the 
effects of PIPE therapy in children with cystic fibrosis. Three children 
with CF, two boys aged 6 and 14 years and one 
girl aged 15 years, voluntarily participated in the experimental training program. 
The patients performed individualized group exercise three times a week on 
alternate days for 28 consecutive weeks at an intensity of approximately 
75 percent aerobic capacity. Duration of exercise gradually increased from 15 
(3 x 5 minutes) to 60 (3 x 20 minutes) minutes 
while the rest period after each exercise was constant at two 
minutes. PIPE training resulted in increased physical work capacity and maximal 
oxygen consumption in all three subjects. Curiously, these changes were not 
accompanied by training bradycardia. 