Kidney Matters - Issue 10 Autumn 2020

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32Let’s get physicalFEATURE ARTICLEExercising in the privacy and safety of our own front room became thenew normal for many of us during the months of lockdown earlier this year. However,whilst we know that increasing our fitness level will improve our mental and physicalhealth, we do also know that making the transition from ‘couch potato’ to Joe Wicks isnot an easy ask.So, what is going to motivate us to get moving and whatdoes ‘increasing our fitness level’ actually mean?Our body was designed to move. The more it is able tomove, the better it will perform to support us. We alsoknow the science: increased physical activity helpsour mental health as well as our physical health. With ahealthier, fitter body and mind comes a host of otherbenefits, including better management of stress andimproved quality of sleep, which in turn help supportevery aspect of our lives – including the managementof our personal relationships.We’ve been through a frightening time this year, withall of us who have chronic kidney disease (CKD) havingto adopt a new way of living to protect ourselves frominfection. So, whilst improving physical fitness canmean anything from stretching exercises whilst sittingin a chair to long-distance running, over this past sixmonths whatever exercise we do has had to take placein our homes.Recognising that kidney patients will want to knowwhat exercises are safe and can be done at home,specialists at Bangor University have developedan exercise programme called MOVE. The MOVEprogramme is specifically designed to help kidneypatients improve their physical health and includesliterature, posters and a series of short video clipsshowing some of the exercises you might like to try(www.move.bangor.ac.uk).We wanted to know what you’ve been doing at hometo keep yourself fit. We asked five kidney patients,all of different ages and at different stages of CKD todemonstrate their own personal fitness routines in ashort video, and explain what impact exercise has hadon their life.What links them altogether is their commitmentto participate in some form of regular, structuredphysical activity, albeit some more vigorously thanothers! But, as a consequence all have achieved amarked improvement in their overall state of physicaland emotional health.We are very grateful to Maddy, Ciara, Molly, Deeand Nick. Thanks also to three great professionalinstructors who also contributed their time andexpertise to these short videos:• Ciara Roberts, a professional yoga teacher andnutritionist, who is also a kidney transplant recipient• Heather Claridge, a professional Pilates instructorwith experience in working with kidney patients• Mikey Spice, a motivational personal trainer whospecialises in weight managementEach video may be viewed at the link below. Whateverone you decide to watch, we hope the videosdemonstrate that exercise is fun and is well within thereach of us all.What were you doing to keep yourself fit duringlockdown? Send in a photograph or short videoclip of you doing whatever it was you chose todo during lockdown to keep yourself fit, whetherit was half an hour on your stationary bike in thekitchen or doing your burpees in front of thetelevision. We will share some of the best onsocial media.To view our exercise tasters, go towww.kidneycareuk.org/exerciseWhy exercise – overview by Dr SharleneGreenwood, renal physiotherapistGo mad with MaddieKeep it calm with CiaraMove it with MollyDon’t stop with DeeNice workout with NickRemember to ask your renal team for advice beforeundertaking any form of exercise.kidneycareuk.org
33The benefit of activity inchronic kidney diseaseMaddy Warrenby Dr Sharlene Greenwood, Consultantphysiotherapist, King’s College Hospital,LondonThere is a growing body ofevidence to show the benefit ofkeeping active for those livingwith kidney disease.Dee MooreResearch has shown that it improves your cardiovascularhealth, keeps your muscles strong and helps you to manageother health conditions such as high blood pressure ordiabetes. There are also proven benefits to people’s emotionalwellbeing and quality of life.Molly BealeMikey SpiceNick PalmerIt’s for these reasons that supporting people living with CKDto increase their activity and keep up with this regularly is soimportant. This is encouraged in everyone, both in people atearly stages and people who have more advanced CKD.Some of the benefits include:• Improved heart health and blood pressure control• Improved muscle strength• Improved sleep pattern• Improved wellbeing• Improved energy levels• Reduced leg tiredness• Better ability to do things you enjoy• Reduce your risk of falls• Improved control of breathing• Improved breathlessness• Stronger bonesIt can be common for people living with CKD to have reducedmuscle strength. This is often noticed in the legs, particularlyyour thigh muscles (quadriceps). This can really have a bigimpact on people’s ability to do the activities they enjoy.It is not always easy to keep active, particularly during periodswhere perhaps you are not feeling so well, or feeling verytired. We know you may not feel up to it during these times,so even doing some activity sitting in a chair or whilst you areon dialysis can have a real benefit.The recommendation for people living with CKD is to takepart in activities that make you feel slightly breathless, calledaerobic exercise, as well as strength building activities. Themain thing is to find an activity that you enjoy, and that youfeel that you will be happy to continue to take part in longerterm. Variety is key!If you are unsure about taking part in any activities, or whatis right for you please talk to your local kidney care team whowill be happy to advise you further.Heather ClaridgeIssue 10 | Autumn 2020
Page 1 and 2: Autumn 2020Issue 10We say thankyou
Page 3 and 4: 3Welcome toKidney MattersMessagefro
Page 5 and 6: 5Average income increase perpatient
Page 7 and 8: 7“The flat is perfect andwhat it
Page 9 and 10: 9Consultant Surgeon Mr TimBrown, No
Page 11 and 12: 11Cooking in the kitchen with Chef
Page 13 and 14: 13What’s in a name?The answer is
Page 15 and 16: 15“They came over and told me tha
Page 17 and 18: 17Figure 1:Diagram of a humanhairEp
Page 19 and 20: LEARN MORE19“You can improvethe a
Page 21 and 22: 21Sharon Woodward, Kidney Care UK S
Page 23 and 24: 23An AV fistula is created using op
Page 25 and 26: “A functioning arteriovenousfistu
Page 27 and 28: LEARN MORE27It’s so strange to me
Page 29 and 30: LEARN MORE29With Loanna Ball (Keira
Page 31: 06 31Make a differencethrough yourp
Page 35 and 36: 35Sharing the love with some of the
Page 37 and 38: 37During the year after my transpla
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Kidney Matters - Issue 10 Autumn 2020

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