• Abbey Sawyer, Vinicius Cavalheri, Jamie Wood, and Kylie Hill.
• Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
• Intern Med J. 2020 Sep 1; 50 (9): 1091-1099.

BackgroundWithin Australian and New Zealand cystic fibrosis (CF) centres, exercise testing and exercise training are common components of clinical care, but current practices regarding these components have not been reported.AimTo determine the extent, scope and importance placed on exercise testing and exercise training within CF centres across Australia and New Zealand.MethodsInformation pertaining to exercise testing and training practices was sought by administering a survey to health professionals working in CF centres across Australia and New Zealand. The survey comprised five sections (46 questions) and was sent via an online link (Qualtrics). Response rate was optimised using the Dillman approach. Approval for this study was granted from the Human Research Ethics Committee at Curtin University (HRE2018-074). Completion of the survey was taken as informed consent.ResultsA response rate of 80% (n = 32/40) was achieved. Each state/territory in Australia, except the Northern Territory was represented in the survey responses. Eight of the 12 major regions in New Zealand were also represented. Regarding tests of exercise capacity, field-based tests were performed more commonly than laboratory-based tests (n = 28/32; 88% vs n = 11/32 centres; 34%; difference: 54%; 95% confidence interval 31-70%). Most (89%) respondents perceived field tests to be at least 'somewhat' important, whereas 91% of respondents perceived laboratory tests to be 'a little' to 'somewhat' important. Physical activity and/or exercise were discussed by at least one health professional in the CF team at every clinic appointment and/or annual review. Most centred offered outpatient exercise training each year to their patients (n = 24/32; 75%).ConclusionThis survey captures the current practices of exercise testing and training in CF centres across Australia and New Zealand.© 2019 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

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