Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and maximal exercise capacity required to improve the fitness level of chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. Twenty-seven female HD patients and ten female controls were used as subjects. Their number of steps were measured by a pedometer. Their Hb concentrations and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) were measured before HD treatment. The results were as follows:
The number of steps in HD patients was 26.2% lower than that of the controls. Untrained subjects' steps were lower than those those of trained subjects. Housewives step were lower than those of workers. The number of steps in patients was inversely proportinal to age, whereas there was not correlation between number of steps and age in the controls. The number of steps became constant in HD patients at an Hb concentration of 8.2g/dl and did not increase even with increased Hb concentration. This level was equal to that of the control subjects. The number of steps was significantlycorelated with VO2max rates in HD patients. In conclusion, the present observations suggest that the Hb concentration required to improve fitness level was 8.2g/dl when number of steps were used an index. The VO2max rate required to improve it was possible to estimate in HD patients.
