The Physical Activity and Exercise-Based Interventions in Congenital Heart Disease: Implications for Quality of Life Across Age Groups
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2026.94.72989Keywords
congenital heart disease (CHD), exercise training, physical activity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), cardiopulmonary capacity, peak oxygen uptake (VO₂peak)Abstract
Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common congenital conditions. Advances in treatment have improved survival, shifting focus toward long-term outcomes such as quality of life (QoL/HRQoL). Appropriately prescribed physical activity is generally safe, though its effects may vary by age and CHD subtype.
Aim: This scoping review aimed to map evidence on physical activity and exercise-based interventions and their association with QoL in children, adolescents, and adults with CHD.
Materials and Methods: The review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines. English-language studies published between 2010 and 2025 were identified through PubMed and Google Scholar. Eligible studies included original research (e.g., randomized controlled trials, cohort, and cross-sectional studies) assessing physical activity or exercise interventions and reporting QoL/HRQoL and/or cardiorespiratory fitness outcomes.
Results: In children, early individualized programs are safe and may improve exercise tolerance and motor outcomes. In adolescents, digital and behavioral interventions targeting increases in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) show mixed results, with greater benefits in those with low baseline activity. Structured aerobic training improves cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) outcomes but often does not increase daily activity. In adults, most studies report improved cardiopulmonary fitness (VO₂peak), while effects on biomarkers and QoL vary. Respiratory training may improve selected patient-reported outcomes but has less consistent effects on VO₂peak. Serious adverse events are rare.
Conclusions: Exercise in patients with CHD is safe and improves fitness; however, its effects on QoL/HRQoL are heterogeneous and depend on age, context, and CHD subtype. A key gap is the mismatch between improved fitness and daily activity, highlighting the need for long-term, multicomponent programs with objective monitoring and standardized HRQoL measures.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Alicja Cienkowska, Aleksandra Adamczyk, Karolina Żeżawska; Marcin Ślot; Adrian Pal, Patryk Cegiełka , Maria Sicińska; Małgorzata Katra; Mikołaj Szczęsny, Izabella Głowacka
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