Exercise training in solid organ transplant candidates and recipients.

Area of Science:

• Transplantation Medicine
• Sports Medicine
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Solid organ transplantation (SOT) management includes exercise training, yet programs are not widely available.
• Specific exercise guidelines for different organ types are lacking, hindering clinical practice.
• Physical impairments in SOT candidates and recipients affect function and transplant outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the physical impairments in SOT candidates and recipients.
• To examine current evidence on exercise training for SOT candidates and recipients.
• To provide practical recommendations for clinicians on exercise prescription.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of recent systematic reviews, statements, and randomized controlled trials.
• Analysis of physical impairments and their impact on physical function and transplant outcomes.
• Application of the frequency, intensity, time, and type (FITT) principle for recommendations.

Main Results:

• Exercise training demonstrates beneficial effects for SOT candidates and recipients.
• Various exercise modalities show positive impacts on physical function and transplant outcomes.
• Current evidence provides a basis for guiding exercise prescription.

Conclusions:

• Higher quality randomized controlled trials are needed to strengthen evidence on exercise training effects and optimal characteristics.
• Available evidence supports the beneficial role of diverse exercise types in SOT.
• Clinicians can utilize current evidence to guide exercise training prescription for transplant patients.