Effects of In-Center Resistance Training in End-Stage Renal Disease: A Pilot Study

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackground: Patients with end-stage renal disease are sedentary, frail, and have low functional ability (FA) compared to healthy age-matched controls. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an intradialytic, supervised, 8-week resistance training (RT) program on strength (ST), FA, and quality of life (QOL) in a sample of patients with end-stage renal disease.Methods: Twenty hemodialysis patients were randomized to an exercise (E, n = 12) or control (C, n = 8) group. Patients randomized to E received intradialytic RT immediately before and during treatment, 3 d per week for 8 weeks. Patients randomized to C received usual care and no exercise. ST and FA were assessed at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks with manual muscle testing and the Short Physical Performance Battery. QOL was assessed at baseline and 8 weeks with the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Mixed factorial ANOVAs were used to determine the effects of RT on ST, FA, and QOL.Results: Significant interactions were found for ST for the right (p = 0.006) and left (p = 0.008) gastrocnemius, right quadriceps (p = 0.003), right (p = 0.005) and left (p = 0.004) hamstrings, and right adductor (p = 0.020). ST improved for E but not C across time (p < 0.05). Significant time effects for FA were found for chair (p = 0.001) and total (p = 0.008) SPPB scores but were not different between groups (p > 0.05). Similar effects were found for the physical performance component of the SF-36 (p = 0.023).Conclusion: A supervised 8-week, intradialytic RT program improved lower body ST in patients with end-stage renal disease; however, these improvements did not impact FA or QOL.