Researchers are testing whether online strength training exercises can help children and teenagers with cystic fibrosis build stronger muscles and improve their fitness. This study is special because it focuses on kids taking a newer, more effective cystic fibrosis medicine called ETI therapy. Over 16 weeks, some kids will do supervised virtual exercise classes focused on building strength, while others will follow regular exercise guidelines. Scientists will measure changes in muscle strength, heart and lung fitness, and overall quality of life. This research could help doctors create better exercise plans for kids with cystic fibrosis who are on this newer medicine.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether online strength training classes can help kids with cystic fibrosis build muscle, improve heart and lung fitness, and feel better overall when they’re taking a newer cystic fibrosis medicine.
  • Who participated: Children and teenagers with cystic fibrosis who are currently taking ETI therapy (a newer, highly effective cystic fibrosis medication). The exact number of participants hasn’t been announced yet, but the study is being conducted in Spain.
  • Key finding: This is a study plan (protocol), not yet completed research. The study will compare kids doing 16 weeks of online strength training to kids following standard exercise guidelines to see which approach works better for building muscle and improving fitness.
  • What it means for you: If you have a child with cystic fibrosis on newer medications, this research may eventually help doctors recommend the best types of exercise. However, results won’t be available until the study is completed. Talk to your child’s CF care team about what exercises are right for them now.

The Research Details

The FIQMODE study is a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of medical research. Researchers will divide children and teenagers with cystic fibrosis into two groups randomly (like flipping a coin). One group will participate in 16 weeks of supervised online strength training classes led by instructors in real-time. The other group will follow the standard World Health Organization recommendations for physical activity, which means they’ll do regular exercise on their own without the special program.

All participants are taking ETI therapy, which is a newer combination medicine that has dramatically improved outcomes for many cystic fibrosis patients. By studying kids on this specific medicine, researchers can understand how exercise works best with this particular treatment.

Participants will be measured at three time points: before the program starts, after 16 weeks when the program ends, and again 8 months later to see if benefits last. This follow-up period is important because it shows whether improvements stick around after the program ends.

This research design is important because it directly compares a new exercise program to standard care, which helps prove whether the special program actually works better. By measuring multiple aspects of health—not just one thing—researchers can understand the full picture of how exercise affects kids with cystic fibrosis. The follow-up measurements are especially valuable because they show whether benefits are temporary or long-lasting.

This is a well-designed study because: (1) it’s a randomized controlled trial, the gold standard for testing treatments; (2) it measures many different health outcomes, not just one; (3) it includes a follow-up period to track long-term effects; (4) it focuses specifically on kids taking newer, more effective CF medicine; (5) it’s registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database that ensures transparency; and (6) it’s funded by reputable government health organizations in Spain and Europe. However, this is a study protocol (the plan), not yet the actual results, so we don’t yet know how many kids will participate or what the findings will be.

What the Results Show

This is a study protocol, meaning the research hasn’t been completed yet, so there are no results to report. The study is designed to measure primary outcomes including: muscle strength in the legs and arms, strength of the breathing muscles, how well kids can move and function physically, body composition (muscle versus fat), and heart and lung fitness.

The researchers will also track secondary outcomes like lung function, inflammation markers in the blood, lifestyle habits, quality of life, how well kids stick with the program, and diet quality using the Mediterranean Diet Index.

Once the study is completed, these measurements will show whether the 16-week online strength training program produces better results than standard exercise recommendations. The results should be available sometime after the study concludes, likely in 2025 or 2026.

Beyond muscle and fitness, the study will examine how the exercise program affects kids’ overall quality of life, their ability to stick with the program (adherence), their lung function, and signs of inflammation in their bodies. These secondary outcomes are important because they show whether stronger muscles and better fitness translate into feeling better and living better with cystic fibrosis.

Previous research has shown that exercise is beneficial for people with cystic fibrosis, but most studies were done before the newer ETI medications became available. These newer medicines have changed cystic fibrosis dramatically, improving lung function and overall health significantly. This study is important because it’s the first rigorous test of whether specialized strength training works well specifically for kids taking these newer medicines. It will help fill a gap in our knowledge about the best exercise approach for this new era of cystic fibrosis treatment.

Since this is a study protocol rather than completed research, we can’t yet identify limitations in the actual results. However, potential limitations to watch for when results are published may include: the study is being conducted in Spain, so results may not apply equally to all populations; the sample size hasn’t been announced yet; and the study only lasts 16 weeks of active intervention, though the 8-month follow-up will help show longer-term effects. Additionally, virtual exercise may not be equally accessible or appealing to all families.

The Bottom Line

This is a study plan, not yet completed research, so specific recommendations aren’t available yet. However, current evidence suggests that exercise is beneficial for children with cystic fibrosis. Talk to your child’s CF care team about appropriate exercise activities. Once this FIQMODE study is completed, it may provide more specific guidance about whether specialized online strength training offers additional benefits beyond standard exercise recommendations.

This research is most relevant to: children and teenagers with cystic fibrosis who are taking or considering ETI therapy; parents and caregivers of kids with CF; cystic fibrosis care teams and doctors; and exercise specialists who work with CF patients. Once results are available, this information will be especially useful for families trying to decide what type of exercise program would be best for their child.

The study itself runs for 16 weeks of active intervention, with follow-up measurements at 8 months. If benefits occur, some may appear within weeks, while others (like improved lung function or reduced infections) may take longer. The full study results likely won’t be available until late 2025 or 2026.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Once the study results are available, users could track weekly muscle strength improvements using simple tests (like how many push-ups or squats they can do), monitor energy levels during daily activities, and log participation in strength training sessions.
  • Users could set a goal to participate in 2-3 supervised online strength training sessions per week, track attendance, and gradually increase the difficulty of exercises as they get stronger. The app could send reminders for scheduled virtual classes and celebrate milestones.
  • Long-term tracking could include monthly measurements of strength progress, quarterly check-ins on how exercise affects daily activities and quality of life, and tracking adherence to the exercise program over 6-12 months to see if benefits are sustained.

This article describes a research study protocol that has not yet been completed. No clinical results are available at this time. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used to make medical decisions. If your child has cystic fibrosis, consult with their CF care team before starting any new exercise program. The recommendations and findings from this study, once available, should be discussed with healthcare providers to determine what’s appropriate for your individual situation. Always follow your doctor’s guidance regarding exercise and treatment for cystic fibrosis.