Physical training improves physical fitness and the quality of life of patients on hemodialysis

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of physical training (PT) on physical fitness and quality of life (QoL) of patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). For this purpose, 22 patients were randomly divided into a nonintervention group (control, n=11) and an intervention group (n=11). Patients in the intervention group were submitted to PT (consisting of aerobic exercise, strength training, and stretching) during HD, three times/week, for 4 months. Physical fitness was evaluated by the six-minute walk test (T6), respiratory muscle strength (RMS) testing, chair-stand test (CST), and abdominal strength test. The SF-36 was used to evaluate QoL. In addition, a semistructured interview was applied to evaluate the patient's perception of the benefits of PT. After PT, patients in the intervention group showed an increase in the distance walked in the T6 (p