Author(s): GUARESCHI, S., REDAELLI, R., CALDARA, E., MORIGGI, T., VILLA, E., ZARDO, W., CORTI, E., PELI, L., CORTI, M., JANKOVICH, M., BALDUZZI, A., MORATTI, C., LANFRANCONI, F., Institution: INTER CAMPUS MILANO, Country: ITALY, Abstract-ID: 2105

INTRODUCTION:
Cancer is the leading cause of death among children over the age of one in Europe, and more than 15,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year in Europe. Up to 80% of them can be cured with standard multidisciplinary care. Children, adolescents and young adults with cancer (CAYA-c) suffer from acute and chronic disabilities. Precision-based exercise programmes and sports are a new therapeutic option to counteract the side effects of cancer treatment in hospital. Inter Campus uses the values of football as an educational tool and contributes to the development of local communities by supporting educational, social and health programmes and promotes social integration between different ethnic groups and cultures. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of implementing the Inter Campus method in a complex clinical setting.
METHODS:
CAYA-c participating in a precision training research programme from 1 September to 31 December 2023 were enrolled. They were referred to the programme by their oncologists. Both sexes, aged between 3 and 21 years, with a diagnosis of blood cancer in the previous 8 weeks were eligible. Between the 3 weekly sessions of combined training (cardiorespiratory, resistance, flexibility and balance), 1 session of football was provided by Inter Campus. The methodology is based on a global approach to football training that includes performance, but also cognitive, emotional-affective and social areas of the childrens and adolescents personalities. Each child received exercises tailored to their own resources and vulnerabilities. Football sessions have been offered on the wards, including the bone marrow transplant center. When followed up in the outpatient clinic, they were trained in small groups (3 to 9 CAYA-c) in the gym, including an outdoor area, in the hospital. The frailest were trained with other CAYA-c to emphasize the inclusion part of the project.
RESULTS:
A total of 31 consecutive CAYA-c were enrolled and 29 were trained. The average age was 11.3 ± 5.9 years (range 4-20), 44.8% were female. The diagnoses were acute lymphoblastic and myeloid leukemias (60% and 16%), lymphoma (24%). Adherence to training (number of sessions/expected sessions) was 33% (range 7-80%). CAYA-c satisfaction with the intervention was 9.2 out of 10 in general and 8.8 for Inter Campus activities; parents reported 9.8 and 9.1, respectively. There were no major events related to football activities.
CONCLUSION:
Close consultation between pediatricians and exercise professionals, including football coaches with a pedagogical profile, is essential when introducing sport in hospitals. The use of football could be safe even in complex clinical settings. Adherence to training can be low for the most medically fragile children, although their willingness to participate in sports activities remains throughout their care. The satisfaction of the families and of CAYA-c is high and the resulting impact on their inclusion could be enormous.