Exercise Prescription in Renal Transplant Recipients: From Sports Medicine Toward Multidisciplinary Aspects: A Pilot Study

Renal transplantation is the choice treatment for end-stage renal disease. In spite of transplantation, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality remains high, possibly due to a prolonged sedentary lifestyle prior to transplantation. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of unsupervised intervention in a tailored home-based aerobic resistance exercise program, based on the anthropometric and cardiovascular parameters in a group of renal transplant recipients (RTRs) followed for 12 months. Methods: a group of 21 RTRs (mean age: 46.8 ± 12 years) were enrolled in a combined aerobic and step count unsupervised prescription program. Body composition (BMI, waist circumferences, skin-folds); water distribution (TBW: Total body water; ECW: Extra cellular water; and ICW: Intracellular water) and myocardial function were measured every 6 months for 1 year. The MEDI-LITE score was used to estimate adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Results: Significant reductions in waist circumference (Waist Cir: 89.12 ± 12.8 cm T0; 89.1 ± 12.5 cm T6 (95% CI: 6.3, 5.7); 88.6 ± 11.4 cm T12; (95% CI: 6.7, 4.7) p < 0.01), weight:71.8 ± 14.8 kg T0; 70.6 ± 14.7 kg T6(95% CI:−8,6); 70.6 ± 14.7 kg T12(95% CI: 6.6,7) p < 0.05), as well as an improvement of myocardial function, as shown by the significant increase of contractility and change in the GLS % value (−18.3 ± 3.8% at T0 (95% CI:−16.57, 20.0.2)−20.4 ± 3.0% at T6(95% CI:−4,0.2);−22.9 ± 3.1%T12(95% CI:−3, 4, −1, 6) p < 0.02), were observed. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was in the normal range. Conclusions: Despite unsupervised intervention, combined moderate physical exercise appears to have a positive effect on the main parameters related to cardiovascular risk factors. The long-term efficacy of this program requires further investigation, particularly for evaluating constant adherence to the home-based physical exercise program.