Title: Effects of a resistance training program on fitness, muscle mass and quality of life in kidney transplant recipients

Biography:

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of 10-week resistance exercise-based intervention on muscular strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle mass and structure, and quality of life in kidney transplant recipients. Design and setting: All participants underwent a familiarization period of the tests, which were conducted one week later and after a 10-week period. Subjects: Sixteen kidney transplant recipients were recruited and voluntarily participated in the study. Main outcomes measures: At each time point participants completed: (i) a quality of life questionnaire (KDKoL), (ii) muscle thickness assessment by ultrasonography (iii) lower limb muscle strength tests, (iv) fitness tests, and (v) routine biochemical analyses. Results: The classical SF-36 domains did not differ between groups after the intervention. There were no between-group differences after the intervention in most of the domains related to the kidney disease-specific, with the exception of the scales of “effects of kidney disease” and “burden of kidney disease” that significantly improved after the intervention as compared to placebo. There were significant differences in handgrip levels after intervention in the training group vs. control (delta handgrip strength in controls -0.38 ± 1.50 (95% confidence interval CI, -2.50 to 0.43 kg) vs. 1.87±0.835 (-0.64 to 3.28 kg) in the training group; P=0.01). Patients in the intervention group improved by 54.6 ± 24.4 meters in the six minutes walk test, whereas patients in the control group improved by 8.6 ± 26.2 meters (P<0.006 for group differences). Patients in the intervention group employed less time in the get-up and go test after the intervention (-0.2 ± 0.4 seconds) whereas patients in the control group took more time (0.2 ± 0.4 seconds; P=0.003 for group differences). Conclusions: Ten weeks of resistance training improved several measures of physical function in kidney transplant patients, and the patients perceived this as a reduction in the burden felt by their disease.