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Physical Activity and Kidney Transplantation

Posted Thursday, 10 November 2022

Date issued: October 2022

Review date: October 2024

Ref: A-509/AS/Renal/Physical Activity and Kidney Transplantation

PDF: Physical Activity and Kidney Transplantation final October 2022.pdf [pdf] 213KB

Leading a healthy lifestyle following Kidney Transplantation

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle post-transplantation is extremely important, as this will keep your transplant healthy for longer. Some of the best ways to do this are through physical activity.

Physical Activity

Physical activity is important, as it not only promotes good health, but prevents and manages disease.

Regular exercise also helps counteract the effects that some medications can have on your muscles/bones, as well minimise post-transplantation weight gain. Most people with a kidney transplant can stay free from dialysis for the long term and use this opportunity to take up new hobbies or restart old ones that they were not able to do before due to ill health or the restrictions of dialysis. Other benefits of exercise include improved sleep, social interaction, improved stress management and self-belief.

Following transplantation, we suggest you start physical activity by going for short walks and then build up over time.

For the past 40 years, the Westfield British Transplant Games have hosted an annual competition at different host cities across the UK. The Transplant Game sees teams compete in several events across 4 days, with a range of ages including competitors as young as 5 and as old as 80.

The games are aimed at keeping transplant recipients active and healthy, as well as raising awareness of the need for organ donation and remembering and honouring organ donors and their families. The Transplant Games can be a great way to begin training and start a new hobby.