The Role of Physical Activity in Improving Health and Quality of Life in Dialysis Patients: Literature Review

Background and Objective: Physical activity is an important determinant of health and functional capacity, yet patients with end-stage kidney disease undergoing dialysis are characterized by markedly reduced physical activity levels. This review aimed to summarize current evidence on the effects of physical activity on health outcomes in dialysis patients and to identify major barriers to its implementation in routine care. Methods: A literature review was conducted using the PubMed database. Studies addressing physical activity and exercise in patients undergoing dialysis were identified using the keywords “physical activity” and “dialysis”. The reviewed literature focused on physical functioning, cardiovascular health, muscle preservation, nutritional status, psychological well-being, sleep quality, hospitalization, mortality, and barriers to exercise participation. Results: Available evidence indicates that regular physical activity may improve functional capacity, muscle strength, cardiovascular fitness, nutritional and psychological status, sleep quality, and quality of life in dialysis patients. Exercise interventions appear to be generally feasible and safe when appropriately individualized and monitored. However, physical activity remains insufficiently integrated into routine dialysis care. Important barriers include fatigue, comorbidities, low motivation, limited patient education, insufficient healthcare provider training, lack of resources, and the absence of standardized exercise recommendations. Conclusions: Physical activity should be considered an integral component of comprehensive dialysis care. Individualized exercise programs supported by multidisciplinary healthcare teams may improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Further research is needed to establish standardized exercise recommendations for this population.