Effect of high-intensity training on peak oxygen uptake and muscular strength after lung transplantation: A randomized controlled trial

The impact of high intensity training and sports on recipients of solid organ transplants: a narrative review

Objectives

High intensity exercise in individuals post solid organ transplant (SOT) remains a largely understudied phenomenon, with potential risks and benefits. Additionally, the optimal training protocols are still unclear. This narrative review aimed to explore the impact of high-intensity exercise training and strenuous sports on solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs).

Methods

We conducted a narrative review of intervention studies of any design that included high-intensity exercise training and cross-sectional studies of strenuous sports and activities. Additionally, we reviewed individual reports documenting post-SOT performance at highly competitive or physiological levels. We used MEDLINE to search for relevant articles followed by a manual search for additional articles. Data were extracted and results were summarized.

Results

High-intensity and strenuous exercise appears to be safe among stable SOTRs. High-intensity protocols consistently demonstrated improvements in VO2peak and a reduction in coronary artery disease prevalence, though findings related to body composition, health-related quality of life outcomes, and cardiovascular exercise variables were inconsistent. Pre-transplant athletes showcase notable achievements and physiological adaptations post-transplantation, highlighting the capacity for athletic performance among this population. However, caution is warranted in interpreting the findings from these studies due to limitations in generalizability and other methodological limitations.

Conclusion

As evidenced by current literature, high intensity exercise emerges as a promising exercise method for safely improving various physiological parameters, and reducing the prevalence of coronary heart disease in SOTRs. It can induce similar or greater effects to moderate intensity exercise, however follow-up studies indicate low retention. Further research of higher methodological rigor is warranted in this field to advance understanding, and to guide evidence-based practice.

Exercise training in solid organ transplant candidates and recipients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Exercise training programs are an integral part of the management of solid organ transplantation (SOT) candidates and recipients. Despite this, they are not widely available and specific guidelines on exercise parameters for each type of organ are not currently provided. A review of this topic could help clinicians to prescribe appropriate exercise regimens for their patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

In this narrative review, we discuss the physical impairments of SOT candidates and recipients and how these affect their physical function and transplant outcomes. We examine recent systematic reviews, statements, and randomized controlled trials on exercise training in SOT candidates and recipients and present the current available evidence while providing some practical recommendations for clinicians based on the frequency, intensity, time, and type principle.

SUMMARY

While randomized controlled trials of better methodology quality are needed to strengthen the evidence for the effects of exercise training and for the optimal training characteristics, the available evidence points to beneficial effects of many different types of exercise. The current evidence can provide some guidance for clinicians on the prescription of exercise training for transplant candidates and recipients.

[Efficacy of Physiotherapy Interventions on the Respiratory Musculature Through Respiratory Training Techniques in Post-operative Lung Transplant Recipients: Systematic Review]

Introduction

Respiratory muscles are a limiter of exercise capacity in lung transplant patients. It is necessary to know the effectiveness of specific respiratory muscle training techniques carried out in the management of adult lung transplant patients in the postoperative period.

Methodology

A systematic review of clinical trials was carried out, which included adult lung transplant patients undergoing post-transplant respiratory training. A search was carried out in the databases PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library between January 2012 and September 2023, using the terms: "breathing exercise", "respiratory muscle training", "inspiratory muscle training", "respiratory exercise", "pulmonary rehabilitation", "lung rehabilitation"; in combination with "lung transplantation", "lung transplant", "posttransplant lung". No language limit.

Results

Eleven trials were included with a total of 639 patients analyzed. Most training programs begin upon hospital discharge (more than one month post-transplant), few do so early (Intensive Care Unit). The duration varies from 1-12 months post-transplant. The interventions were based on aerobic training and peripheral muscle strength. Some of them included breathing exercises and chest expansions. The most used outcome variable was submaximal exercise capacity measured with the 6-minute walk test.

Conclusions

Training the respiratory muscles of the adult transplant patient favors the improvement of exercise capacity and quality of life. Aerobic training, as well as strength training of the rest of the peripheral muscles, contribute to the improvement of respiratory muscles.

Handgrip Strength in Lung Transplant Candidates and Recipients

OBJECTIVES

Handgrip strength is increasingly used to assess muscle strength in various conditions. In this review, we investigated handgrip strength in patients receiving or awaiting lung transplant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this integrative review, we searched 8 databases from inception through February 2023. Two keyword entries, "handgrip strength" and "lung transplantation," were matched using the Boolean operator, AND. No filters were applied for document type, age, sex, publication date, language, and subject.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The searched databases returned 73 citations. Nine articles considering 487 patients (49% female) were included in the final analysis; 7 studies were observational, and 2 were randomized controlled trials. In 7 of 9 studies, handgrip strength was measured with a hydraulic dynamometer. In candidates for lung transplant, handgrip strength ranged from 27.1 kg (before rehabilitation) to 31.2 kg (after rehabilitation). In lung transplant recipients, handgrip strength ranged from 21.1 kg (before rehabilitation) to 35.7 kg (after rehabilitation). Handgrip strength in lung transplant candidates with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was higher (89 ± 18% predicted) versus patients with interstitial lung disease (79 ± 18% predicted). Improvements in maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure were observed in those patients whose handgrip strength improved after rehabilitation. Nonsarcopenic patients walked longer distances for the 6-minute walking test (>450 m) versus sarcopenic patients (<310 m) and had higher handgrip strength (>20 kg) versus sarcopenic patients (<20 kg). Handgrip strength testing should be implemented both in preoperative and postoperative contexts to evaluate physical potential of patients and drive rehabilitative activities toward the most impaired domains.

Lung Transplant Rehabilitation-A Review

BACKGROUND

Both lung transplant recipients and candidates are characterised by reduced training capacity and low average quality of life (QoL). This review investigates the impact of training on exercise ability and QoL in patients before and after lung transplant.

METHODS

Searches were conducted from the beginning to 7 March 2022 using the terms "exercise," "rehabilitation," "lung transplant," "exercise ability," "survival," "quality of life" and "telerehabilitation" in six databases, including Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, CINAHL, Nursing and Allied Health, and Scopus. The inclusion criteria were studies evaluating the effects of an exercise training programme concurrent with lung transplantation as well as patients and candidates (>18 years old) through any lung diseases. The term "lung transplant rehabilitation" was used to refer to all carefully thought-out physical activities with the ultimate or intermediate objective of improving or maintaining physical health.

RESULTS

Out of 1422 articles, 10 clinical- and 3 telerehabilitation studies, candidates (n = 420) and recipients (n = 116) were related to the criteria and included in this review. The main outcome significantly improved in all studies. The 6-min walk distance, maximum exercise capacity, peak oxygen uptake, or endurance for constant load rate cycling improved measuring physical activity [aerobic exercises, breathing training, and aerobic and inspiratory muscle training sessions (IMT)]. Overall scores for dyspnoea improved after exercise training. Furthermore, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) also improved after aerobic exercise training, which was performed unsupervised or accompanied by breathing sessions. Aerobic training alone rather than combined with inspiratory muscle- (IMT) or breathing training enhanced exercise capacity.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, rehabilitation programmes seem to be beneficial to patients both preceding and following lung transplantation. More studies are required to determine the best training settings in terms of time scale, frequency, and work intensity in terms of improving exercise ability, dyspnoea, and HRQOL.

Exercise training for adult lung transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary transplantation is the final treatment option for people with end-stage respiratory diseases. Evidence suggests that exercise training may contribute to speeding up physical recovery in adults undergoing lung transplantation, helping to minimize or resolve impairments due to physical inactivity in both the pre- and post-transplant stages. However, there is a lack of detailed guidelines on how exercise training should be carried out in this specific sub-population.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the benefits and safety of exercise training in adult patients who have undergone lung transplantation, measuring the maximal and functional exercise capacity; health-related quality of life; adverse events; patient readmission; pulmonary function; muscular strength; pathological bone fractures; return to normal activities and death.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Specialised Register up to 6 October 2020 using relevant search terms for this review. Studies in the CKTR are identified through CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE searches, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal, and ClinicalTrials.gov.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included comparing exercise training with usual care or no exercise training, or with another exercise training program in terms of dosage, modality, program length, or use of supporting exercise devices. The study population comprised of participants older than 18 years who underwent lung transplantation independent of their underlying respiratory pathology.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently reviewed all records identified by the search strategy and selected studies that met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in this review. In the first instance, the disagreements were resolved by consensus, and if this was not possible the decision was taken by a third reviewer. The same reviewers independently extracted outcome data from included studies and assessed risk of bias. Confidence in the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

MAIN RESULTS

Eight RCTs (438 participants) were included in this review. The median sample size was 60 participants with a range from 16 to 83 participants. The mean age of participants was 54.9 years and 51.9% of the participants were male. The median duration of the exercise training programs for the groups undergoing the intervention was 13 weeks, and the median duration of training in the active control groups was four weeks. Overall the risk of bias was considered to be high, mainly due to the inability to blind the study participants and the selective reporting of the results. Due to small number of studies included in this review, and the heterogeneity of the intervention and outcomes, we did not obtain a summary estimate of the results. Two studies comparing resistance exercise training with no exercise reported increases in muscle strength and bone mineral density (surrogate outcomes for pathological bone fractures) with exercise training (P > 0.05), but no differences in adverse events. Exercise capacity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), pulmonary function, and death (any cause) were not reported. Three studies compared two different resistant training programs. Two studies comparing squats using a vibration platform (WBVT) compared to squats on the floor reported an improvement in 6-minute walk test (6MWT) (28.4 metres, 95% CI 3 to 53.7; P = 0.029; and 28.3 metres, 95% CI 10.0 to 46.6; P < 0.05) with the WBVT. Supervised upper limb exercise (SULP) program improved 6MWT at 6 months compared to no supervised upper limb exercise (NULP) (SULP group: 561.2 ± 83.6 metres; NULP group: 503.5 ± 115.2 metres; P = 0.01). There were no differences in HRQoL, adverse events, muscular strength, or death (any cause). Pulmonary function and pathological bone fractures were not reported. Two studies comparing multimodal exercise training with no exercise reported improvement in 6MWT at 3 months (P = 0.008) and at 12-months post-transplant (P = 0.002) and muscular strength (quadriceps force (P = 0.001); maximum leg press (P = 0.047)) with multimodal exercise, but no improvement in HRQoL, adverse events, pulmonary function, pathological bone fractures (lumbar T-score), or death (any cause). One study comparing the same multimodal exercise programs given over 7 and 14 weeks reported no differences in 6MWT, HRQoL, adverse events, pulmonary function, muscle strength, or death (any cause). Pathological bone fractures were not reported. According to GRADE criteria, we rated the certainty of the evidence as very low, mainly due to the high risk of bias and serious imprecision.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

In adults undergoing lung transplantation the evidence about the effects of exercise training is very uncertain in terms of maximal and functional exercise capacity, HRQoL and safety, due to very imprecise estimates of effects and high risk of bias.

Effect of high-intensity training on bone health and body composition in lung transplant recipients: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Loss of bone mineral and skeletal muscle mass is common after lung transplantation (LTx), and physical activity (PA) may prevent further deterioration. We aimed to assess the effects of 20-week high-intensity training (HIT) on body composition, bone health, and PA in LTx recipients, 6-60 months after surgery.

METHODS

In a randomized controlled trial, 51 LTx recipients underwent Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and PA level and sedentary time were objectively recorded by accelerometers for seven consecutive days. Of these, 39 participants completed the study, including 19 participants in the HIT group and 20 participants in the standard care group.

RESULTS

Following the intervention, ANCOVA models revealed a nonsignificant between-group difference for change in lean body mass (LBM) and bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine of 0.4% (95% CI = -3.2, 1.5) (p = .464) and 1.0% (95% CI=-1.3, 3.4) (p = .373), respectively. Trabecular bone score (TBS) of the lumbar spine (L1-L4), however, increased by 2.2 ± 5.0% in the exercise group and decreased by -1.6 ± 5.9% in the control group, giving a between-group difference of 3.8% (95% CI=0.1, 7.5) (p = .043). There were no between-group differences in PA or sedentary time.

CONCLUSION

High-intensity training after LTx improved TBS significantly, but not PA, LBM or BMD.