Supplementary Material for: Physical Activity in Renal Disease (PAIRED) and the effect on hypertension: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Exercise is an effective strategy for blood pressure (BP) reduction in the general population, but efficacy for the management of hypertension in CKD is not known. We evaluated the difference in 24-hour ambulatory systolic BP with exercise training in people with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: Participants with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 15-44 mL/min per 1.73m2 and SBP >120 mmHg were randomized to receive thrice weekly, moderate intensity aerobic-based exercise over 24 weeks, or usual care. Phase 1 included supervised in-center and home-based sessions for eight weeks. Phase 2 was 16 weeks of home-based sessions. BP, arterial stiffness, cardiorespiratory fitness, and markers of CV risk were analyzed using mixed linear regression.

Results: We randomized 44 people; 36% were female, median age was 69 years, 55% had diabetes and the median eGFR was 28 mL/min per 1.73m2. Compared with usual care, there was no significant change in 24-ambulatory SBP at eight weeks 2.96 mmHg (95% CI -2.56, 8.49) or 24 weeks. Peak oxygen uptake improved by 1.9 mL/kg/min in the exercise group (95% CI 0.03, 3.79) at eight weeks with a trend toward higher BMI 1.84 kg/m2 (95% CI -0.10, 3.78) and fat free mass, but this was not sustained at 24 weeks. Markers of CV risk were unchanged.

Conclusions: Despite an improvement in VO2peak and body composition, we did not detect a change in 24-hour ambulatory systolic BP in people with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease.