University of Exeter‑Led Panel Recommends Smartwatches and Sensors to Revolutionise Exercise Assessment in CF Care

University of Exeter‑Led Panel Recommends Smartwatches and Sensors to Revolutionise Exercise Assessment in CF Care

(IN BRIEF) An international panel led by Professor Craig Williams (University of Exeter) has issued updated guidelines on assessing physical activity in cystic fibrosis patients, published in the European Respiratory Review. The 2025 position statement recommends prioritising wearable technology—trackers, smartwatches and sensor‑infused garments—to record light, moderate and vigorous movement, as well as sedentary time and sleep, with data captured at least once per second. Traditional questionnaires and diaries remain valuable for personal context but are now secondary. By reviewing 7,500 studies and focusing on 90 key papers, the panel highlights the need for standardised, high‑resolution monitoring to support tailored exercise interventions. Drs Don Urquhart and Thomas Radtke note that, as CF patients age, research must explore how daily activity influences long‑term outcomes such as hospital admissions and survival.

(PRESS RELEASE) EXETER, 29-Jul-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Cystic Fibrosis Society has unveiled its first major update since 2015 to guidance on measuring physical activity in people living with cystic fibrosis (CF). Published in the European Respiratory Review and led by Professor Craig Williams of the University of Exeter, the new recommendations champion the use of advanced wearables—fitness trackers, smartwatches and sensor‑embedded clothing—to capture detailed analyses of light, moderate and vigorous activity. Crucially, the panel also urges clinicians and researchers to record sedentary behaviour and sleep duration, delivering a comprehensive 24‑hour activity profile.

Professor Williams of the University of Exeter Medical School explained that modern, standardised measurement tools will enable health professionals to offer stronger support: “Sophisticated devices are predominantly in research use today, and there’s no global consensus on CF patients’ activity targets. By adopting these technologies in routine care, we can better tailor exercise advice to improve longevity and quality of life.”

CF, a chronic condition impairing respiratory and digestive function, benefits greatly from regular physical activity—enhancing lung capacity, preserving muscle mass and supporting mental health. Historically, steps and self‑report questionnaires formed the basis of activity monitoring. The updated statement argues these tools remain useful for contextual insights but should take a back seat to continuous, second‑by‑second data from wearables.

Dr Don Urquhart and Dr Thomas Radtke, co-chairs of the Society’s Exercise Working Group, praised the review of nearly 7,500 studies—of which 90 were prioritised—as essential groundwork for future research. They emphasized that, with CF patients now living longer than ever, understanding the role of exercise in ageing and long‑term health outcomes has become a critical research frontier.

Looking ahead, the authors call for longitudinal studies to link activity patterns with hospitalisation rates, disease progression and survival—paving the way for evidence‑based activity prescriptions in CF care.

The paper titled ‘The 2025 European Cystic Fibrosis Society position statement on physical activity assessment in cystic fibrosis’ was published in European Respiratory Review.

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email: pressoffice@exeter.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of Exeter