Posture and physical activity in dialysis patients

Abstract

A review of the literature concerning posture and physical activity among dialysis patients was performed in order to determine strategies for improving physical activity and thus quality of life in this group of patients. Correct posture ensures harmonious functioning of the body with optimal efficiency. A sedentary lifestyle has a negative effect on posture and reduces a person’s physical fitness. Haemodialysis forces patients to sit or lie down for long periods of time, while the consequences of chronic disease additionally predispose them to a sedentary lifestyle. Patients with chronic kidney disease treated by dialysis are particularly likely to exhibit sedentary behaviour, and thus are less physically active. The physical fitness of dialysis patients deteriorates due to kidney disease, but also because of concomitant diseases. It is very important to educate patients about the positive effects of physical activity, as well as to promote exercise as a necessary element of treatment for improving their quality of life.

Postural assessment with the moiré technique in dialyzed patients

“…When correct posture is held, individual segments of the body ensure smooth movements and stable support with the least energy required [28,43,57]. The type of posture depends not only on sex but also on the stage of ontogenetic development and environmental conditions [44,64].…”

“…Each change in the arrangement of one section of the spine in relation to another section affects individual parts of the skeleton, both those closer and distant from the deformed region. For example, increased cervical lordosis results in a compensatory increase in thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis [44,61,64]. Increased thoracic kyphosis leads to a more oblique positioning of the ribs, flattening of the chest, relaxation of the abdominal muscles, and greater pelvic anteversion.…”

“…Scoliosis can lead to the dislocation of organs of respiratory systems, digestive or urinary system. Change in the position of spinal segments deteriorates conditions of the nervous system function by disturbing the coordination, as well as the static and dynamic balance of the body [18,44,60,64].…”

“…Overloads create more difficult conditions for spinal work and increase the susceptibility of the spine to further overloads. It cause degeneration and deformation of skeletal and articular structures and faster wear [37,44,47,55]. Postural disorders and their consequences in the skeletomuscular system trigger a chain reaction and accumulate [31,37,44,47,69].…”

“…It cause degeneration and deformation of skeletal and articular structures and faster wear [37,44,47,55]. Postural disorders and their consequences in the skeletomuscular system trigger a chain reaction and accumulate [31,37,44,47,69].…”