A study in the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology indicates exercise has significant health benefits for individuals with kidney dysfunction. Many patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) die prematurely but not from effects directly related to kidney problems. Researchers divided participants into inactive, insufficiently active and active groups based on the frequency and intensity of their physical activity. Participants were followed for seven to nine years.
 
Researchers found 28 percent of CKD patients were inactive compared to 13.5 percent of non-CKD individuals. Active and insufficiently active CKD patients were less likely to die during the study than inactive CKD patients. The data suggests increased physical activity might have a survival benefit in the CKD population.   

This article originally appeared in the November 2009 issue of Kidney Beginnings: The Electronic Newsletter.