Do you have CKD, and wonder if it’s safe to exercise? While it’s always important to discuss a new workout regimen with your doctor first, research has found benefits of certain types of exercise for CKD patients. Learn more from one study that showed positive impacts on blood vessel function and blood pressure in CKD patients.*

What was the concern?

Some CKD patients report having a sharp increase in high blood pressure while working out, which causes them to avoid exercise or exertion. Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia believe that regular aerobic exercise (exercise that gets your heart rate up) may help patients, however. 

A person who has cardio-pulmonary (heart-lung) fitness will be able to perform aerobic exercise, such as biking, walking, swimming, and jogging, for a sustained period of time. 

What Did the Researchers Do?

The study followed 38 men and 10 women with stage 3 and 4 CKD who were randomly divided into two groups. All participants were considered sedentary, as they had previously participated in little exercise or physical activity.

Over the course of a 12-week program, one group performed aerobic exercise by riding stationary bikes, while the other group performed non-aerobic exercises like stretching and balancing activities. Exercise sessions occurred three times a week, and the duration of each session started at 20 minutes, then increased over time by one to two minutes until topping out at 45 minutes. 

What Did They Find?

Researchers discovered that the aerobic exercise program ultimately improved blood vessel function and decreased blood pressure, both during and after exercising. This is potential good news for CKD patients. 

“These findings provide support for the notion that exercise is safe and beneficial in this population,” said Justin Sprick, Ph.D., first author of the study. “In addition, regular aerobic exercise training may translate to a reduction in future cardiovascular risk in CKD, although more work is required to confirm. This is important because cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in CKD.”

*American Physiological Society. (2022, April 21). Regular aerobic exercise improves blood vessel function in people with chronic kidney disease. Medical Xpress. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-04-regular-aerobic-blood-vessel-function.html