Weightlifting and Dialysis Really Do Mix
Exercise may fend off muscle-wasting and improve quality of life
 (HealthDay News) -- Wrap your imagination around this: While hooked up to dialysis, you're also lifting weights.
The two activities might not seem to mix, but intense weightlifting exercises done during hemodialysis appear to be quite beneficial for people with end-stage renal disease.
Such exercise helps fight off muscle-wasting and more, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology .
"Our findings suggest that patients who regularly perform resistance-training exercise during hemodialysis treatment can significantly improve muscle mass, strength, quality of life, and other aspects of health status that are important to people with kidney failure," lead author Bobby Cheema, of the University of Sydney in Australia, said in a prepared statement.
"Exercise was carried out safely within the hemodialysis sessions, without any interference with routine care and no need to change dialysis procedures," he added.
Cheema's study included 49 people who were on dialysis three times a week. Half of the group was given dialysis the standard way -- which usually means sitting in a bed or chair while their blood is filtered. The other half was given dumbbells and ankle weights so they could perform high-intensity weightlifting exercises while sitting in a chair and receiving dialysis.
After three months, those who had participated in weightlifting during dialysis were in much better physical condition than the others. They had improved strength, additional muscle mass and a reduction in markers of inflammation, which are often associated with cardiovascular disease. They also reported that their quality of life had improved.
Aside from exercising during dialysis treatments, physical activity in general can be helpful for people on dialysis, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Besides improving muscle strength, regular exercise can increase energy, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, aid sleeping and make weight control easier, the foundation adds.
However, the foundation recommends that kidney patients first check with a doctor before starting to exercise to help devise a plan that includes how long and how intense exercise sessions should be at first.
Eventually, experts recommend, work up to at least 30 minutes a day of continuous activity -- walking, swimming, bicycling or dancing, for instance -- at least three days a week.
But be smart about it: Don't exercise within an hour after a large meal, during very hot times of the day and within an hour of bedtime.
People on dialysis also should not exercise, according to the foundation, at various other times, including:
- If a fever is present
- If medications or dialysis schedule have changed
- If they've eaten too much
- If the weather is very hot and humid, unless exercising can be done in an air-conditioned area.
Additionally, dialysis patients should remember to stop exercising immediately if they suddenly feel very tired, short of breath or nauseous, if they have leg cramps or feel dizzy, the foundation advises.
On the Web
Learn more about the importance of exercise for people on dialysis at the American Association of Kidney Patients.
SOURCES:
HealthDay News ; American Society of Nephrology, news release, April 4, 2007; National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org)
Author:
Serena Gordon
Publication Date:
April 30, 2008
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