The Effect of Intermittent Intradialytic Aerobic Exercise Training on Plasma Homocysteine Levels and Physical Performance in Hemodialysis Patients

Increased homocysteine levels resulting from renal failure and physical inactivity in hemodialysis patients can put them at risk for cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, exercise training may have a favorable effect on homocysteine levels and physical performance in these patients. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of intermittent intradialytic aerobic exercise training on plasma homocysteine levels and physical performance in hemodialysis patients.
In this quasi-experimental study, sixteen hemodialysis patients (with a mean age of 54.75 years) were randomly divided into two equal groups: experimental and control. The experimental group performed intermittent intradialytic aerobic exercise training for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week, which corresponded to 40 to 45 percent of their maximum heart rate reserve at the first week and reached to 65 to 70 percent during the final week. Homocysteine levels and physical performance were measured before and after the 8 weeks of aerobic exercise training.
Plasma homocysteine levels (P=0.029) and physical performance parameters including: Gait speed (P=0.001), Chair-rising time for 5 times (P=0.001) and Stair-climbing time (P=0.002) significantly improved in the experimental group after eight weeks of intermittent intradialytic aerobic exercise training.
Intermittent intradialytic aerobic exercise training may have a favorable effect on the cardiovascular condition of hemodialysis patients through reducing homocysteine levels and can improve physical performance in these patients.