Resistance training in patients with end-stage renal disease

Patients with end-stage renal disease have to deal with a lot of health problems which are on the one hand caused by the disease and on the other hand are the result of their reduced physical activity. Both mechanisms lead to a reduced functional ability and often cross the threshold of impairment. The decrease of functional ability is mainly caused by the loss of strength due to a reduction and alteration of muscle fibres and of the neuromuscular system. It is well-known that strength training can improve structural and functional abilities of the muscle in healthy young as well as in old people. Some studies could demonstrate that the beneficial effects of strength training can also be reached in people with end-stage renal disease. A limiting factor for the strength training in dialysis patients may be the disturbed cardio-ciculatory reaction due to cardiac neuropathy, e.g. of the blood pressure response.