[Physical activity and chronic kidney disease: an update in 2013?]

The practice of physical activity is now a subject of special attention in public health. Indeed, the expected benefits in terms of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality suggest that all physicians should promote it. However, there are few data on the impact of physical activity on the health of patients with chronic kidney disease before the dialysis stage. This review focuses on the relationship between chronic kidney disease and the practice of physical activity. Different tools to assess the level of physical activity helped to highlight a marked deterioration in physical capacity of patients with chronic kidney disease, including during the earliest stages. Although there is currently no specific recommendations regarding the practice of physical activity in patients with renal impairment, it seems desirable to promote it in an appropriate way, based on what is currently advocated for cardiovascular prevention in the general population.