Exercise and sport for health in solid organ transplant recipients

Is well known that physical activity reduces rate of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in the general population and in transplanted recipients. However, most of those investigations present limits. Few data are available on exercise effectiveness on kidney and liver transplant recipients and the correlation between practising exercise, lipid profile and renal function. Additionally, the knowledge on the amount of safe training for sport competitions for this population is limited. This thesis aims to increase the knowledge on the type of exercise and training adapted for transplant recipients and its relative effects on aerobic capacity, strength and quality of life. Moreover, correlation between exercise and blood pressure parameters in solid organ transplant are considered for safeguard of the graft function. The first part of this thesis focuses on the effects of exercise in kidney and liver transplant recipients by health pathways. The second part focus on the sport in solid organ transplant recipients to break down the prejudice that “transplantation” and “sport” cannot coexist. In detail, we investigate the renal function, metabolic profile, glycemia and the physical fitness after 12 months of supervised aerobic and resistance training in kidney and liver transplant recipients, compared with not supervised home-based physical activity. The results of these studies can provide information on the beneficial effects of combined exercise and identify the type of safe exercise to prescribe for the kidney and liver transplant population. These indications are intended to encourage the healthcare world to refer pre-and post-transplant patients to follow a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. To obtain more adherence in the prescription of exercise in transplant patients a study promote the network in which transplant centers, sports medicine centers and certified gyms collaborate to encourage the practice of prescribed and controlled exercise in pre- and post-transplant patients.