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High-Intensity Training for 6 Months Safely, but Only Temporarily, Improves Exercise Capacity in Selected Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.

Authors :
Cappelle M
Masschelein E
Vos R
Van Remoortel H
Smets S
Vanbekbergen J
Verreydt J
Troosters T
Goetschalckx K
Gosselink R
Monbaliu D
Source :
Transplantation proceedings [Transplant Proc] 2021 Jul-Aug; Vol. 53 (6), pp. 1836-1845. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 May 25.
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Background: Organ transplantation is a life-saving intervention that improves quality of life of patients with irreversible organ failure. Although exercise training immediately after transplantation has been suggested to be beneficial, such interventions remain rare in stable transplant recipients, whereas effects of high-intensity training (HIT) are even less frequently investigated. Moreover, sustainability of such interventions has not yet been reported. We investigated the effects of a 6-month, cycling-based HIT program on physical performance in long-term stable solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, with follow-up evaluation after 6 months.<br />Methods: Forty-two adult, stable, and selected SOT recipients participated in a 6-month individualized home- and group-based HIT program. Exercise capacity (VO <subscript>2</subscript> max), maximal power (Wmax), and body mass index were measured before, at the end, and 6 months after completion of the intervention.<br />Results: The study comprised 12 heart, 7 lung, 8 liver, and 15 kidney recipients (mean age, 41.4 ± 11.1 years; median time posttransplant, 3.4 [1.7-8.0] years). For 6 months, VO <subscript>2</subscript> max increased in the heart, lung, and kidney groups, Wmax increased in the heart group, and body mass index decreased in the liver group. Six months after the HIT program, the achieved gain in exercise capacity had disappeared in all groups.<br />Conclusion: Despite voluntary participation selection bias, our observations indicate that HIT is safe and may result in a beneficial effect on physical performance in selected, stable SOT recipients. However, there was no sustained beneficial effect once training stopped. Larger scale and longer term studies are still required to investigate longevity of improvement and overall beneficial effects on clinical outcomes.<br /> (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1873-2623
Volume :
53
Issue :
6
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Transplantation proceedings
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
34049699
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2021.03.040