Sport, exercise, and physical activity in children with cardiovascular disease. A Clinical Consensus Statement of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC) of the ESC, the Association of Cardiovascular Nursing & Allied Professions (ACNAP) of the ESC, and the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology (AEPC).

Regular physical activity offers numerous benefits to children's health and well-being and is essential for reducing cardiovascular risk in children with cardiovascular disease. Despite increasing evidence supporting its benefits, many young patients remain insufficiently active because of concerns regarding exercise related risks, limited expertise. This clinical consensus statement provides practical guidance for the prescription of exercise and physical activity in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years with cardiovascular disease. The document aims to bridge the gap between evidence supporting the benefits of physical activity and its implementation in daily clinical practice, promoting safe participation in sport and exercise across a broad spectrum of cardiovascular conditions. This consensus statement outlines an individualised, patient-centred approach to exercise prescription based on clinical assessment, cardiovascular risk stratification, and the FITT principle: frequency, intensity, time, and type. Specific recommendations are provided for congenital and acquired heart disease, cardiomyopathies, arrhythmias, pulmonary hypertension, cardio-oncology patients, and children with physical disabilities or syndromes. The document emphasises the importance of multidisciplinary care, periodic follow up, exercise testing when indicated, and tailored programs adapted to the child's clinical condition, developmental stage, and personal preferences. The overarching goal is to encourage safe and enjoyable participation in physical activity, improve quality of life and functional capacity, and foster lifelong healthy behaviours in children with cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular diseases
Care/Management

Authors

Tiberi Tiberi, D'Ascenzi D'Ascenzi, Cavarretta Cavarretta, Orchard Orchard, Abela Abela, Bäck Bäck, Bahls Bahls, Casey Casey, Castelletti Castelletti, Claessen Claessen, Drago Drago, Eijsvogels Eijsvogels, Finocchiaro Finocchiaro, Gati Gati, Hanssen Hanssen, Halle Halle, Maestrini Maestrini, Malhotra Malhotra, Mochi Mochi, Müller Müller, Niebauer Niebauer, Neidenbach Neidenbach, Niederseer Niederseer, Papadakis Papadakis, Pelliccia Pelliccia, Sanz-de la Garza Sanz-de la Garza, Siegrist Siegrist, Stuart Stuart, Zorzi Zorzi, Williams Williams, Pieles Pieles
View on Pubmed
Share
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Bluesky
Linkedin
Copy to clipboard