Abstract
Typical long-term inactivity due to the dialysis - in the pre-transplant period, necessarily leads to a decline of the recipient's physical and psychological fitness level (decreased quality of the life - QoL). The purpose of our study was to assess the impact of regular physical activity on physical and psychological fitness in the first 6-8 post-transplant months.
Our group of patients (male/female, 11/10, age 59.1+/-10.8 yrs/ 57.0+/-8.4 yrs; 69.9+/-25.4/65.1+/-17.8 days post-transplant) was randomized into subgroups: exercise, exercise + nutrition, nutrition, control. We used the "Senior Fitness Test Manual" and the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form questionnaire.
The intervention program included exercise and nutrition activities. Both physical fitness as well as QoL in the first 6-8 months after transplantation improved in all patients.
The combination of an exercise and nutrition intervention was the most effective. This intervention in the first post-transplant year could give each patient an opportunity to achieve an optimal physical and psychological level almost equal to their original condition.