Physical Activity Dose for Hemodialysis Patients: Where to Begin? Results from a Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Engaging in physical activity is associated with decreased mortality risk among hemodialysis patients. Our findings of a substantial mortality benefit among those who engage in at least 4,000 steps provide a basis for as a minimum initial recommendation kidney health providers can provide for mobility disability-free hemodialysis patients.

Effect of Intradialytic Exercise on Physical Performance and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Pilot and Feasibility Study

“…Although the current guidelines for MHD patients recommend moderate-intensity exercise, many patients at our centers are unable to tolerate this level of intensity. Based on evidence suggesting that a mere increase in physical activity can elicit meaningful long-term clinical and performance benefits [16,17], we developed a lowintensity exercise program and prolonged the study duration to 2 years. We further created an easy-to-follow video for the patients and devised exercises that would require no equipment beyond hand and ankle weights, with the aim of creating a cost-effective, safe, and easily implemented exercise program.…”

Physical activity in Sahara Moroccan hemodialysis patients

“…The results of our series showed an average age of 54.6 years, with extremes ranging from 18 to 85 years [4,7]. Several series in the literature report a predominance of men, notably a local Moroccan study carried out by Karimi [8] at the Al Fârâbî hospital in Oujda with a sex ratio of 45H / 38F, that of Fiaccadorie [9] carried out in Italy with a percentage of 67% male, and that of Matsuzawa [10] in Japan had a male predominance of 55%. This joins our study where the male sex is predominant with a percentage of 60%.…”

Briefly Noted

“…A study of 282 stable HD patients who were able to walk without assistance, found that walking less than 4000 steps per nondialysis day at baseline (four assessments over 1 week) was associated with a 2.4 fold higher adjusted mortality (over a 56 month median follow-up) compared with that in more active walkers. 16 A study of olfaction included 100 dialysis patients (94 on HD) and 25 controls. Dialysis patients had a lower mean odor identification score than controls (67% vs 84%) as well as a higher odor threshold.…”

“…A study of 282 stable HD patients who were able to walk without assistance, found that walking less than 4000 steps per nondialysis day at baseline (four assessments over 1 week) was associated with a 2.4 fold higher adjusted mortality (over a 56 month median follow‐up) compared with that in more active walkers …”