IMPACT OF AEROBIC EXERCISE ON VISCERAL FAT OF NONDIALYSIS DEPENDENT OVERWEIGHT CKD PATIENTS: A PILOT STUDY

Abstract

This is a randomized controlled study that aimed to assess the impact of aerobic exercise on visceral fat of overweight CKD patients. Twenty-six sedentary patients in stages 3–4 of CKD (73% men; 52.3±8.6 years, BMI 30.6±4.3 kg/m2) were included. Patients were assigned to aerobic exercise group (EG; n=13) or control group (CG; n=13). The aerobic training was conducted on a treadmill at the ventilatory threshold three times per week during 12 weeks. The CG patients remained without practicing exercise during follow up. Visceral and subcutaneous fat were assessed by computed tomography, and lean body mass (LBM) by DEXA. At the end of 12 weeks, visceral fat decreased 5% in EG and increased 3% in CG (p=0.02). Waist circumference decreased 1.5% in EG and increased 0.8% in CG (p=0.02). No changes were observed in body weight and subcutaneous fat. LBM tended to increase in EG and decrease in CG (p=0.09). In addition, blood pressure decreased (p<0.01) despite no change in body weight, 24 h urinary sodium and antihypertensive medication. Our results suggest aerobic exercise as an effective approach to reduce visceral fat while maintaining lean body mass in CKD patients.