What is the quality of evidence regarding the effects of regular physical activity on people with CKD?
Intervention studies and systematic reviews in the general population have firmly established the effects of regular physical activity on BP lowering, improved strengthening, physical fitness, lower body weight, and lower risks of dysglycemia and diabetes. In populations with CKD, however, the evidence is much more limited. Our systematic review in CKD populations found low-quality evidence from 1 study conducted over 12 months showing that physical activity may improve SBP and DBP, and low-quality evidence from the same study showing that physical activity may improve eGFR. These findings, however, were inconsistent with other studies suggesting little or no differences. The updated Cochrane systematic review finds that physical activity decreases weight and improves the mental components of quality of life in CKD. Observational data also show a dose response relationship between greater levels of physical activity and lower risk of mortality in CKD patients.