Effects of physical exercise during hemodialysis in patients with chronic renal insufficiency: a literature review

Abstract

Main alterations seen in patients with chronic renal insufficiency are anemia, systemic arterial hypertension, and muscular atrophy, which lead to low aerobic capacity and loss of muscle strength. Hence part of these patients treatment consists in programs of physical exercise. The purpose of this literature review was to assess muscle and cardiovascular acute effects and chronic adaptations in end-stage renal disease patients submitted to physical exercise during hemodialysis. After browsing through Medline, Lilacs and PEDro databases, as well as searching for periodic articles at the UFMG Medicine School library, 13 articles were selected, related to aerobic exercise associated or not to muscle strengthening during hemodialysis. Studies varied as to exercise intensity, frequency and duration. Most articles found that physical exercise performed during hemodialysis favoured better aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and control of cardiovascular risk factors, helping solute removal during hemodialysis. Though the subject is scarcely studied, available literature shows that exercises during hemodialysis are beneficial to patients' aerobic capacity and muscle strength.