Physical exercise and fitness in adults kidney transplant recipients

Resum

Abstract: Kidney transplantation is the best treatment option for patients with end-stage renal disease but this situation is not without complications. Weight gain, muscle weakness, reduced exercise tolerance and decreased aerobic capacity are present among recipients of solid organ transplantation. All this is due to prolonged bed rest, inactivity, use of immunosuppressive medication and physical loss and muscle conditioning. The overall objective of this doctoral thesis was to examine the effect of an intervention based on the weight training in adult kidney transplant recipients. In addition, to better understand the subject part of study, three different studies were conducted: a systematic review, a descriptive case-control study and finally a work of intervention. Study I. consisted of a systematic review of the effects of physical exercise in adults supervised transplanted kidney. The main objective of this review was to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding exercise for this population orientation. Study II. In a sample of 16 adult kidney transplant recipients and 21 healthy adults, we performed an assessment of physical fitness, muscle structure and the quality of life. Study III. In a sample of 16 kidney transplant patients, we performed a controlled intervention with 10-weeks of a resistance-training program and analyzed the effects on muscle mass and functional adaptations We analyzed the structure, strength and muscle power of lower limbs after surgery and then data were compared with a control group. The main findings and conclusions derived from the 3 studies were: I) The systematic review suggests a scarcity of intervention studies in relation to supervised exercise programs in kidney transplant patients. II) Physical fitness, strength and muscle mass and quality of life of kidney transplant recipients is lower than that of healthy people. A greater commitment on the assessment of different physical parameters is necessary, to plan adequate exercise programs in these patients. III) Ten weeks of supervised resistance training improved several measures of physical function in patients with renal transplantation. These results were perceived by the patients as a reduction in the burden felt by their illness. The results of this Doctoral Thesis increase our knowledge on the effects of resistance physical exercise in adults undergoing kidney transplantation. These results and findings contribute to better plan and implement exercise programs in these patients.