Fit for Life – Fitness Levels of Young Hemophiliacs Today

101 youngsters aged 8 to 25 (mean 13.3 years) underwent a 5-stage fitness check at six different investigational sites. The 5-stage fitness check comprises a coordination measurement element measuring the excursion of a two-dimensional mobile floor platform (Posturomed) in millimeters over a period of 30 seconds with the subject standing on one leg. Flexibility testing analyzes chest muscles and ischiocrural (hamstring) muscle using an electronic inclinometer. Muscle strength is measured by isometry of the abdominal and back muscles, for each set of muscles on its own and in relation to the other. The endurance test is done on an exercise bike. Resting heart rate and frequency of training are entered as baseline parameters. This test is based on validated IPN endurance testing which produces an individual result in four to six minutes. Test element 5 is infrared body fat analysis on the anterior biceps of the dominant hand. This is the site with the best correlation to hydrostatic weighing. All tests are normalized on the basis of age, gender, height, weight, our own parallel measurements and height and weight percentiles taken from the literature. The results are rated by comparing the specific readings with the relevant agematched means. Scores are given on a scale of 1 to 5.