Effect of Structured, Moderate Exercise on Kidney Function Decline in Sedentary Older Adults
Michael G. Shlipak, Anoop Sheshadri, Fang‐Chi Hsu, Shyh‐Huei Chen, Vasantha Jotwani, Gregory J. Tranah, Roger A. Fielding, Christine K. Liu, Joachim H. Ix, Steven G. Coca, LIFE Investigators, Marco Pahor, Jack M. Guralnik, Christina Leeuwenburgh, Connie Caudle, Lauren Crump, Latonia Holmes, Jocelyn Leeuwenburgh, Ching-ju Lu, Michael E. Miller, Mark A. Espeland, Walter T. Ambrosius, William B. Applegate, Daniel P. Beavers, Robert P. Byington, Delilah Cook, Curt D. Furberg, Lea N. Harvin, Leora Henkin, John Hepler, Fang‐Chi Hsu, Laura Lovato, Wesley Roberson, Julia Rushing, Scott Rushing, Cynthia L. Stowe, Michael P. Walkup, Don Hire, W. Jack Rejeski, Jeffrey A. Katula, Peter H. Brubaker, Shannon L. Mihalko, Janine M. Jennings, Evan C Hadley, S Romashkan, Kushang V. Patel, Denise E. Bonds, Mary Mcdermott, Bonnie Spring, Joshua Hauser, Diana Kerwin, Kathryn Domanchuk, Rex Graff, Alvito Rego, Timothy S. Church, Steven N. Blair, Valerie H. Myers, Ron Monce, Nathan E. Britt, Melissa Harris, Ami Parks McGucken, Ruben Rodarte, Heidi K. Millet, Catrine Tudor‐Locke, Ben P. Butitta, Sheletta G. Donatto, Shannon Cocreham, Abby C. King, Cynthia M. Castro, William L. Haskell, Randall S. Stafford, Leslie A. Pruitt, Kathy Berra, Veronica Yank, Roger A. Fielding, Miriam E. Nelson, Sara C. Folta, Edward M. Phillips, Christine K. Liu, Erica McDavitt, Kieran F. Reid, Dylan Kirn, Evan Pasha, Won S. Kim, Vince E. Beard, Eleni X. Tsiroyannis, Cynthia Hau, Todd M. Manini, Stephen D. Anton, Susan Nayfield, Thomas W. Buford, Michael Marsiske, Bhanuprasad Sandesara, Jeffrey D. Knaggs, Megan S. Lorow, William C. Marena, Irina Korytov, Holly Morris, Margo Fitch, Floris Singletary
Abstract
Importance: Observational evidence suggests that higher physical activity is associated with slower kidney function decline; however, to our knowledge, no large trial has evaluated whether activity and exercise can ameliorate kidney function decline in older adults. Objective: To evaluate whether a moderate-intensity exercise intervention can affect the rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate per cystatin C (eGFRCysC) change in older adults. Design, Setting, and Participants: This ancillary analysis of the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence For Elders randomized clinical trial enrolled 1199 community-dwelling, sedentary adults aged 70 to 89 years with mobility limitations and available blood specimens. The original trial was conducted across 8 academic centers in the US from February 2010 through December 2013. Data for this study were analyzed from March 29, 2021, to February 28, 2022. Interventions: Structured, 2-year, partially supervised, moderate-intensity physical activity and exercise (strength, flexibility) intervention compared with a health education control intervention with 2-year follow-up. Physical activity was measured by step count and minutes of moderate-intensity activity using accelerometers. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was change in eGFRCysC. Rapid eGFRCysC decline was defined by the high tertile threshold of 6.7%/y. Results: Among the 1199 participants in the analysis, the mean (SD) age was 78.9 (5.2) years, and 800 (66.7%) were women. At baseline, the 2 groups were well balanced by age, comorbidity, and baseline eGFRCysC. The physical activity and exercise intervention resulted in statistically significantly lower decline in eGFRCysC over 2 years compared with the health education arm (mean difference, 0.96 mL/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI, 0.02-1.91 mL/min/1.73 m2) and lower odds of rapid eGFRCysC decline (odds ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.65-0.97). Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this ancillary analysis of a randomized clinical trial showed that when compared with health education, a physical activity and exercise intervention slowed the rate of decline in eGFRCysC among community-dwelling sedentary older adults. Clinicians should consider targeted recommendation of physical activity and moderate-intensity exercise for older adults as a treatment to slow decline in eGFRCysC. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01072500.