Effects of one-year intradialytic exercise with ergometer on body composition, physical activity, and dialysis adequacy

Background Dialysis patients are at a high risk of sarcopenia. To prevent sarcopenia in these patients, exercise programs, especially during dialysis sessions, have recently been used. However, the long-term effects of intradialytic exercise on body composition, physical function, and dialysis adequacy have not been fully elucidated. Methods Fourteen dialysis patients were divided into an ergometer group (n = 8), with intradialytic exercise using an ergometer and the non-ergometer group (n = 6) without intradialytic exercise. Bioimpedance analysis for measuring body composition and physical function tests were performed during the one-year study period. Results There were no patient dropouts from the study. Ergometer exercise increased the percentage change in skeletal muscle mass (non-ergometer 2.01%±2.93% vs. ergometer 6.27%±2.12%, p  = 0.005), leg muscle mass (5.85%±12.88% vs. 15.39%±8.78%, p  = 0.073), bone mineral content (4.50%±6.18% vs. 9.69%±1.77%, p  = 0.036), and decreased the percentage change in body fat percentage (-4.46%±16.30% vs. -14.24%±6.86%, p  = 0.098). Lower limb physical function mildly improved, and Kt/V changed to a positive value in the ergometer group. Conclusions One-year intradialytic ergometer exercise increased lower limb muscle mass and bone mineral content, and decreased body fat percentage in dialysis patients. Additionally, it mildly increased physical function and Kt/V. Therefore, intradialytic ergometer exercise could be a promising and sustainable intervention program for improving body composition, physical activity, and dialysis adequacy.