Regular exercise is paramount to maintaining a healthy life, and can even increase your chances of survival and recovery after a kidney transplant. Activity is important before and after surgery, as both are needed to strengthen your body and promote a healthy renal system. A combination of aerobic activity, strength training and stretching can help improve your endurance while trimming away pounds. Talk to your doctor about an exercise regimen that suits your health condition and lifestyle.
Exercise Benefits
Exercise improves blood circulation, promotes the body's efficient use of oxygen and helps prevent post-operative complications. Dialysis patients have a higher risk for cardiovascular and blood vessel diseases, according to the National Kidney Foundation, while renal transplant patients have four to six times the risk of cardiovascular-related death. Fortunately, you can lose weight and fat through exercise, reducing the stress placed on your cardiovascular and renal systems. Blood pressure, stress and cholesterol levels can decrease with an increase in exercise. Muscles and bones become stronger, and your daily activities become easier with a regular workout routine.
Aerobic Exercise
Your doctor may recommend aerobic exercise -- like walking or biking -- to work large muscle groups and increase your heart and breathing rates. Start slowly and increase duration and intensity gradually -- and with doctor's approval. Aim eventually to perform aerobic exercise for approximately 30 minutes three to four days per week. Breaking up your workouts into smaller sessions throughout the day can help improve your stamina and strength without pushing beyond your endurance. Providing adequate rest time -- a day between workouts -- is essential for muscle and tissue repair.
Strength Training
Moving your muscles against a force -- like gravity or weights -- increases muscle strength and stamina. Similar to aerobic activity, start with light weights and fewer repetitions, gradually increasing as you become stronger. Weak or sedentary patients just beginning exercise can use gravity to work muscles. Start with simple movements like rising up out of a chair and sitting back down. Sitting in a chair and repeatedly straightening and bending your arms and legs is also beneficial. As your strength progresses, your doctor can recommend specific movements with free weights or exercise bands. Choose a weight or band that tires your muscles after 10 to 12 repetitions. Perform 10 to 12 repetitions and two to three sets of each exercise, resting at least a day between workouts.
Stretching
The National Kidney Foundation also recommends incorporating stretching into your exercise routine to improve flexibility. Stretch your arms individually by moving them across your chest and holding your elbow. Clasp your hand behind your back and straighten your elbows to stretch your chest. Rotate and flex your wrists and fingers, rotate your torso at the waist and perform neck and shoulder rolls. Stretch your calves by sitting down and pulling your toes toward your shin. Straighten your legs and reach for your ankles or toes to loosen the backs of your thighs. Place one hand on a chair and pull one heel toward your buttocks, grasping it with your hand to target the front of your thighs. Hold stretches for up to 30 seconds and breathe throughout the stretch.
