From 7 to 9 November, the IX Congress of the Spanish Society of Physiotherapy in Pediatrics (SEFIP) was held in Madrid, bringing together leading professionals in the field healthcare to discuss the advances and challenges in physiotherapeutic care of children. The programme of lectures included the talk by Márcio Donadio, deputy director of the Department of Physiotherapy, who presented the paper entitled “Estrategias de valoración de la capacidad de ejercicio en niños con enfermedad respiratoria crónica” [Strategies for assessing exercise capacity in children with chronic respiratory disease].

Donadio’s talk addressed the importance of selecting the most appropriate strategies to assess exercise capacity in children with chronic respiratory diseases. As the researcher pointed out, “this approach not only allows us to know the physical condition of patients, but also identify the factors that contribute to their intolerance to exercise, to establish more accurate prognoses and design personalised exercise programmes”.

The lecture presented underlined the need to personalise physiotherapy programmes, setting clear goals that promote overall health and minimise the risks of complications associated with the disease. The talk also highlighted the importance of joint work between the academic and healthcare sectors to achieve advances in the care of chronically ill children, enabling them to enjoy a better quality of life.

The event, held in Madrid, is considered one of the key meeting points for paediatric physiotherapy specialists in Spain and Europe. This year, the congress brought together more than 500 professionals, including physiotherapists, researchers and students, to share knowledge and experiences in a space that fosters innovation and scientific exchange.