Dialysis and Exercise:A Perfect Match

Generally patients with ESRD have lower physical activities, muscle performance and quality of life (QOL) than do healthy subjects. Numerous studies have suggested that exercise could improve many indicators of physical functioning, improve self-reported physical functioning and also improve QOL in ESRD patients. In addition, considering that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is major cause of death in patients with advanced CKD, exercise and regular physical activity have the potential to reduce cardiovascular mortality in ESRD patients. Many of the known benefits of exercise in the general population are of particular relevance to the ESRD population. In addition, the poor physical functioning that is experienced by patients who are on dialysis is potentially addressable through exercise interventions. The study of exercise in the ESRD population dates back almost 30 years, and numerous interventions, including aerobic training, resistance exercise training, and combined training programs, have reported beneficial effects. Recently, interventions during hemodialysis sessions have become more popular and have been shown to be safe. It is time that we incorporate exercise into the routine care of patients who are on dialysis, but identification of an optimal training regimen or regimens, according to patient characteristics or needs, is still needed to facilitate implementation of exercise programs.