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Published on: June 16, 2014
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Exercise as an Adjunct Therapy In Chronic Kidney Disease
Danielle L Kirkman1, David G Edwards1, Shannon Lennon-Edwards2
1Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware.
Renal Nutrition Forum
|June 13, 2015
Summary
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have low physical activity levels. This article highlights exercise benefits for CKD survival and provides recommendations for healthcare providers to increase physical activity counseling.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Low physical activity and sedentary lifestyles are prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, increasing morbidity and mortality risks.
- Despite established health benefits and clinical guidelines, exercise is underutilized in routine CKD care.
- Sedentarism negatively impacts key survival predictors like cardiorespiratory fitness and protein-energy wasting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the benefits of regular exercise across all stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- To emphasize the role of multidisciplinary nephrology teams in promoting physical activity.
- To provide general physical activity recommendations for CKD patients to enhance provider counseling and confidence.
Main Methods:
- Review of evidence on physical activity and its impact on CKD patient outcomes.
- Discussion of exercise benefits on cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiovascular health, and protein-energy wasting.
- Formulation of general physical activity recommendations for CKD patients.
Main Results:
- Regular exercise improves cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiovascular health, and protein-energy wasting in CKD patients.
- Increased physical activity is linked to reduced morbidity and mortality risks in individuals with CKD.
- Healthcare providers are crucial in encouraging and prescribing exercise for CKD patients.
Conclusions:
- Exercise is a vital, yet underused, component of managing chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- Integrating physical activity counseling and prescription into routine nephrology care is essential.
- Multidisciplinary teams should actively promote exercise to improve survival predictors in CKD patients.
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