Abstract

Background

The present authors aimed (a) to objectively quantify spontaneous physical activity (PA) in adult patients with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) and (b) to evaluate the transferability of a home‐based exercise training programme in these patients.

Method

Physical activity was compared between 10 adult women with PWS (PWS group) and 20 adult women with non‐syndromic obesity (CON group, for cross‐sectional comparison). In the PWS group, PA, body composition, walking capacity, quality of life and eating behaviour were then compared before and after a 16‐week supervised exercise programme.

Results

The PWS group displayed lower PA and higher sedentary time compared to the CON group. Median attendance to exercise sessions reached 100% (Q1‐Q3: 97%–100%) sessions. Moderate‐to‐vigorous PA and walking capacity increased after the programme without significant effect on body composition.

Conclusion

Supervised home‐based exercise sessions are an effective strategy to improve PA in women with PWS who are less active than women matched for adiposity.