Physical training effects in renal transplant recipients

Introduction: Several studies demonstrated the benefits of rehabilitation in uraemic patients. This study evaluates physical and psychosocial effects of exercise on renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Patients and methods: Eight RTRs were evaluated before and after an exercise training consisting of thirty 40-minute sessions, three times a week, performed with the interval training technique. Results: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) significantly decreased (p < 0.04 and < 0.008, respectively). Quality of life mean scores (SF-36 test) significantly increased (p < 0.000). No differences were recorded for muscle and fat mass, maximal explosive power of the lower limbs, alkaline and acid phosphatase, parathormone (PTH), myoglobin, lipoprotein-A, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), at rest heart rate, and cardiac troponin. IL-6 decreased from 2.8 +/- 0.6 to 1.7 +/- 0.5 pg/mL (p < 0.01). Resting MAP fell from 112 +/- 4 to 99 +/- 3 mmHg (p < 0.02). The metabolic threshold rose from 33 +/- 4 to 43 +/- 5% (p < 0.033). The blood lactate level at peak exercise increased from 5.2 +/- 0.9 to 6.2 +/- 0.7 mmol/L (p < 0.012). The maximum oxygen uptake increased from 1200 +/- 210 to 1359 +/- 202 mL/min (p < 0.05), iso-load oxygen uptake decreased from 1110 +/- 190 to 1007 +/- 187 mL/min (p < 0.034). The maximum working capacity increased from 90 +/- 14 to 115 +/- 15 watts (p < 0.000). Conclusion: This study suggests that an appropriate dose of physical training is a useful, safe and non-pharmacologic contribution to RTR treatment.