Regular Aerobic Exercise Improves Blood Vessel Function in People with Chronic Kidney Disease

Study shows cycling workouts also lower blood pressure reactivity

Rockville, Md. (April 21, 2022)—Structured aerobic exercise training over 12 weeks improves blood vessel function in people with stage 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a new study by physiologists at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. Researchers also found that exercise reduced blood pressure reactivity in this population. The article is published ahead of print in the Journal of Applied Physiology and has been chosen as an APSselect article for April.

This study was conducted in 38 men—primarily Black men—and 10 women with CKD who were randomly split among a structured and a supervised group. The aerobic “spin” group rode stationary bikes and the non-aerobic group participated in stretching and balance exercises three days a week. The exercise duration began at 20 minutes per session and progressed by one to two minutes before reaching a maximum of 45 minutes.  

People with CKD often experience an exaggerated increase in blood pressure during exercise. That increase is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The research team hypothesized that regular aerobic exercise training would improve vascular function and reduce blood pressure reactivity during exercise in CKD patients with moderate to severe renal disease, which was confirmed by the study findings.

“These findings provide support for the notion that exercise is safe and beneficial in this population,” said Justin Sprick, PhD, first author of the study. “In addition, regular aerobic exercise training may translate to a reduction in future cardiovascular risk in CKD, although more work is required to confirm. This is important because cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in CKD.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• 37 million people in the U.S. have CKD,
• nine out of 10 U.S. adults with CKD don’t know they have it, and
• CKD is more common in U.S. adults 65 and older.

Read the full article, “Aerobic exercise training improves endothelial function and attenuates blood pressure reactivity during maximal exercise in chronic kidney disease.” It is highlighted as one of this month’s “best of the best” as part of the American Physiological Society’s APSselect program. Read all of this month’s selected research articles.

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: To schedule an interview with a member of the research team, please contact APS Media Relations or call 301.634.7314. Find more research highlights in our Newsroom.

Physiology is a broad area of scientific inquiry that focuses on how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function in health and disease. The American Physiological Society connects a global, multidisciplinary community of more than 10,000 biomedical scientists and educators as part of its mission to advance scientific discovery, understand life and improve health. The Society drives collaboration and spotlights scientific discoveries through its 16 scholarly journals and programming that support researchers and educators in their work.