Effects of strength training program on muscle mass in patients on hemodialysis

Abstract

© 2018 A. CARBONE Editore. All rights reserved. Background: Physical rehabilitation is an important segment in the treatment of hemodialysis patients as they often have numerous comorbidities, functional constraints and severe disabilities resulting from physical inactivity. Aim: To determine the effect of strength training program on muscle mass in patients on hemodialysis. Methodology: The study was organized in the Center for Hemodialysis, Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia for the duration of 8 weeks. It involved 25 patients, 18 (72%) men and 7 (28%) women, of average age 52.9 ± 14 years, who had received chronic hemodialysis for 3 x 3-4 hours for at least 3 months using commercially available dialysers. During the first two hemodialyses, twice a week for 15-20 minutes, exercises were performed with a load to increase muscle mass of the upper and lower extremities together with isometric muscle contractions to strengthen the quadriceps, as well as a lateral flexion of the spinal column. Measurements were made before and after exercise. Routine laboratory analyses, oxygen saturation, demographic, anthropometric and clinical characteristics of the subjects were also evaluated. Results: After exercise oxygen saturation (p = 0.04) and venous pressure (p = 0.009) were significantly lower than pre-exercise values. Muscle strength of the fist (p = 0.001), the upper arm (p = 0.005) and forearms (p <0.001) also differed significantly before and after exercise. After exercise lower extremity muscles were significantly stronger, both in relation to the left and right muscles of the shin and thighs. Left side (p = 0.002) and right-side (p = 0.017) spinal column flexion was significantly higher after exercise. Conclusion: The study confirmed the positive effect of strength training program on the size of the exercising muscles, lateral flexion of the spinal column and venous pressure.