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Multicenter Study
. 2024 Sep;37(7):1881-1891.
doi: 10.1007/s40620-024-01935-6. Epub 2024 Apr 24.

Physical activity, exercise habits and health-related quality of life in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a multicenter cross-sectional study

Huagang Hu  1   2 , Pui Hing Chau  1 , Edmond Pui Hang Choi  3
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Physical activity, exercise habits and health-related quality of life in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a multicenter cross-sectional study

Huagang Hu et al. J Nephrol. 2024 Sep.

Abstract

Background: Although exercise has the potential to yield numerous benefits for maintenance hemodialysis patients, the relationship between physical activity, exercise habits, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to characterize the physical activity, exercise habits, and HRQOL of maintenance hemodialysis patients while examining the associations between these factors.

Methods: A convenience sampling was used to recruit 827 patients from 74 dialysis units in China. The structured questionnaire included sociodemographics, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, exercise habits, and the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form 1.3. An independent samples t-test, multivariable logistic regression analysis, and multivariable linear regression analysis were used.

Results: The physical activity levels of 69% of participants were found to be below the recommendation of the World Health Organization. Despite 62.4% of participants reporting regular exercise, 73.8% reported light exercise intensity, and 92.6% engaged in walking or jogging. Participants' HRQOL was higher in the low-intensity exercise group compared with the moderate-to-hard-intensity exercise group. Moderate-to-high physical activity was associated with better HRQOL in 13 of the 19 domains and regular exercise was linked to higher HRQOL in four of the 19 domains.

Conclusions: This study identified a low level of physical activity, light exercise intensity, and walking as the primary exercise type among the participants. A significant correlation was found between higher physical activity levels, regular exercise, and better HRQOL for maintenance hemodialysis patients. It is advisable to implement strategies to enhance physical activity levels and design exercise programs for maintenance hemodialysis patients based on their real-world physical activity levels and exercise habits.

Keywords: Exercise habits; Health-related quality of life; Maintenance hemodialysis; Physical activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no financial or non-financial conflicts of interests to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart for the cross-sectional study
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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