EXERCISE TRAINING AND THE PROGRESSION OF CHRONIC-RENAL-FAILURE

The possible beneficial effect of regular exercise training on the pro gression of chronic renal failure was studied in a prospective randomi zed controlled study. Thirty patients with a median glomerular filtrat ion rate (GFR) of 25 ml/(min . 1.73 m(2)) (range 10-43) were randomize d to physical training (30 min of bicycling daily or an equal amount o f other physical activities) or to maintenance of the usual lifestyle. The median maximal work capacity increased significantly in the exerc ise group and remained unchanged in the control group during a median observation time of 20 months whereas the rate of progression judged b y the slope of GFR versus time plot was equal in the two groups. Hence , the beneficial effect of exercise training, earlier observed in rat studies, could not be reproduced in our patients. Physical exercise ha d no untoward effect on progression of renal disease.