Petrina Vantsi

Background/Objectives: Childhood obesity appears to be an alarmingly growing global threat. Current evidence has shown that obesity can be successfully managed with interventions targeting movement skills, motor coordination and physical activity. However, data concerning physiotherapy practice are limited. We aimed to assess the impact of therapeutic exercise on the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) in obese children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 31 obese children and adolescents (BMI > 30 kg/m²), 18 males and 13 females, aged from 8 to 18 years, were enrolled. Two study groups were formed: the control group (Group A), comprising ten children; and the intervention group (Group B), comprising 21 children. Daily exercise habits were obtained via interview; anthropometric data (weight, height and BMI) were recorded; and 6-MWT parameters, blood pressure and oxygen saturation (SaO₂) were assessed before and after a 4-month intervention program consisting of breathing and aerobic exercises. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in 6-minute walk distance (+43.34, p < 0.001) and an improvement in body weight (p < 0.01), blood pressure (p < 0.01) and oxygen saturation (p < 0.03) in Group B after the 4-month training program. Conclusions: All results highlight the potential of physical exercise in clinical practice to improve functional status and achieve weight loss. Future randomized controlled trials, including individualized therapeutic exercise programs in larger samples of obese children, are much anticipated.

Aim: To compare the concordance of Bronchodilation Reversibility Testing (BDR) according to the two ERS/ATS definitions (2005 vs 2021) in a cohort of Greek adult and pediatric asthma patients. Methods: Consecutive, anonymized data recorded during 2022-2023 in one paediatric and one adult asthma outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital of Northern Greece were retrospectively analysed. Patients with a first-time referral for a bronchodilator test were included. Chi-square test was utilised for group comparisons of BDR 2005 vs BDR 2021 tests in both cohorts. Results: Data were available for 274 patients, 190 adults and 84 children, aged 4.3 to 80 years old. Out of 170 BDR2021 negative (−) patients, 11 (6.5%) were BDR2005 positive (+). Of 174 (63.5%) who were BDR2005-, 15 (8.6%) were BDR2021+ (p<0.001). Dividing into subgroups, 65 (34%) adults and 24 (29%) children were BDR+ by both definitions. The two criteria led to discordant results in 13% and 7.9% of children and adults, respectively. More tests were classified as BDR+ using the 2021 criteria compared to 2005 in adults (n = 80/190, 42 % vs. 65/190, 34%; p =0.01) while the opposite trend was observed in children (n= 24/84, 29% vs. 35/84, 42%; p<0.001) (Table). Conclusions: In our cohort, the 2021 recommendation for BDR interpretation led to a small but significant reclassification in the number of BDR+ tests, with discrepancies assessed between adult and children group. Larger population data are needed. erj;64/suppl_68/PA2595/TB1 T1 TB1 Total Sample (N=274) Adults (n= 190) Children (n=84) BDR2021+% BDR2021-% BDR2021+ % BDR2021- % BDR2021+% BDR2021-% BDR2005+% 32.5 4 34 0 29 13 BDR2005- % 5.5 58 8 58 0 58 Total% 38 62 42 58 29 71