Does Physical Activity Have an Effect on Physical Capacities, Food Behavior and Body Composition in Hemodialysis Patients?

Purpose: Chronic kidney disease and its treatment, hemodialysis, cause many side effects and disease-related pathologies appear due to inactivity, which characterizes the dialysis population. However, literature demonstrates that physical activity is beneficial for these patients. Nevertheless, few data are available concerning our studied parameters with a resistance training program. Methodologies: We observed the effects of a 3-month intradialytic resistance training program (t0 vs t3) on body composition, food behavior and physical capacities of 23 patients; 17 patients in the physical activity group and 6 patients in the control group. The resistance training program consisted of 3 sessions per week and involved the use of elastic bands and soft balls on the lower extremities. All the measures were realized at t0 and t3. Principal results: The leg muscle mass and the Time Up and Go test were improved after the resistance training program. The other body composition parameters and physical capacity tests (2 min step test and one leg balance test) presented no significant differences. No food behavior modification was observed. No changes were observed in the control group, regardless of the parameters measured. Major conclusion: A three- month resistance training program can improve both the leg muscle mass and the associated physical capacities. Contributions to the fields: Our study provided additional knowledge about resistance physical activity during hemodialysis sessions, few studied with our measured parameters.