Exercise and Vascular Parameters in Hemodialysis

The 16-week program will consist of aerobic-type steady-state or interval exercises using a pedals attachable to the dialysis chairs. The purpose will be to slowly increase exercise duration by 5 minute increments to reach the goal of 30 min/treatment. The exercise program during hemodialysis sessions will contain a combination of aerobic and flexibility exercises, about 30 minutes of cycling with 10 minutes of warm up/stretching exercises and 10-15 minutes cool down. The frequency of exercise will be three sessions a week, during the first hour of dialysis treatment for the duration of 16 weeks. Blood pressure and heart continuous monitoring will be carried out during the exercise program. Exercise log sheets will be filled for each session for the 16 weeks.

No aerobic exercise is offered but baseline and end of study testing of the outcomes occur