The use of a Senior Fitness Test to assess Physical functioning in Hemodialysis and Transplant patients
Abstract
There is a need for a modest assessment of fitness capacity in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The Senior Fitness Test (SFT) was developed out of a need for a simple battery of tests to assess physical fitness in older adults and measures the physical attributes needed to perform everyday activities in later life.
We propose that the SFT is appropriate means of physical fitness assessment in ESRD patients. We found out the level of physical fitness with SFT in 2 different groups of patients (dialysis and transplant) and compare results between them.
The compiled data was processed with descriptive statistics and ANCOVA. The physical fitness of transplant patients is better than that of the dialysis patients, but still insufficient in comparison with normative standards.
SFT provides: appropriate exercise programs, progress over time and simple interpretation motivating patients in physical activity.