Keeping strong with exercise!

By Leonora Chao, RD

Regular exercise provides many health benefits for kidney patients, such as improving quality of life and reducing the risk factors for sarcopenia.

Building and keeping muscle mass and strength
Sarcopenia is a medical term for the loss of muscle and strength associated with normal aging. This condition is common, but tends to occur at an earlier age in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Keeping active coupled with proper nutrition can help you to support muscle mass and strength. Physical activities or exercises that move large muscle groups continuously – walking, for example – are truly beneficial.

Is Nordic walking for you?
Nordic walking (or urban poling) is another form of walking exercise that is becoming more popular. It was first developed for athletes in Finland as a means of off-season cross-country skiing training.

Nordic walking uses two walking poles and engages the upper and lower body muscles, which facilitates the use of the muscle groups of the whole body.

The benefits of Nordic walking are many! This sport burns more calories without the feeling that there is a need for increased effort, it builds upper body strength, and it is suitable for older adults at any fitness level.

Many people are joining walking programs. Walking in a group is a very social event and it may encourage people to stay loyal to the program for longer.

Join a walking group in your community
You may want to inquire about such walking groups in your community. But as always, before starting any exercise program or making any changes to your diet, please speak with your healthcare provider.

More helpful information about staying fit with kidney disease is available online at the National Kidney Foundation: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/stayfit.