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Review
. 2021 Sep 18;11(9):927.
doi: 10.3390/jpm11090927.

Physical Inactivity: A Modifiable Risk Factor for Morbidity and Mortality in Kidney Transplantation

Claudio Ponticelli  1 , Evaldo Favi  2   3
Affiliations
Review

Physical Inactivity: A Modifiable Risk Factor for Morbidity and Mortality in Kidney Transplantation

Claudio Ponticelli et al. J Pers Med. .

Abstract

In patients with chronic kidney disease, sedentary behavior is widely recognized as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, cancer, and depression. Nevertheless, the real impact of physical inactivity on the health of kidney transplant (KT) recipients remains uncertain. Over the last decade, there has been a renewed interest in exploring the effects of regular physical exercise on transplant-related outcomes. There is now mounting evidence that physical activity may reduce the burden of cardiovascular risk factors, preserve allograft function, minimize immunosuppression requirement, and ameliorate the quality of life of KT recipients. Many positive feedbacks can be detected in the early stages of the interventions and with a minimal exercise load. Despite these encouraging results, the perceived role of physical activity in the management of KT candidates and recipients is often underrated. The majority of trials on exercise training are small, relatively short, and focused on surrogate outcomes. While waiting for larger studies with longer follow-up, these statistical limitations should not discourage patients and doctors from initiating exercise and progressively increasing intensity and duration. This narrative review summarizes current knowledge about the deleterious effects of physical inactivity after KT. The benefits of regular physical exercise are also outlined.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease; exercise; frailty; kidney transplant; outcomes; physical activity; quality of life; review; sedentary behavior; sport.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle after kidney transplantation (CVD, cardiovascular disease; QoL, quality of life).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Positive effects of regular physical activity after kidney transplantation (MACE, major acute cardiovascular event; NODAT, new-onset diabetes after transplant; QoL, quality of life; eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate; ↑, increased; ↓, decreased).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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