The Borg scale is safe and efficacious for prescribing and monitoring self-administered balance and resistance exercise in patients with chronic kidney disease: a post-hoc analysis of RENEXC, a randomized controlled trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v57.44158Keywords:
exercise, self-administered exercise, chronic kidney disease, resistance exercise, balance exercise, Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion, borg scaleAbstract
Objective: To evaluate the safety, adherence, and efficacy of self-administered balance and resistance exercise using the Borg scale in patients with chronic kidney disease, and to examine relationships between exercise intensity or duration and baseline measures, and relationships between change in physical performance and baseline measures, intensity, or duration.
Design: Post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial.
Patients: 151 patients, mean age 66 (14) years, measured glomerular filtration rate 22 (8) mL/min/1.73 m2.
Methods: 12 months balance or resistance exercise, Borg 13–17, combined with aerobic exercise. Berg Balance scale, Functional Reach, isometric quadriceps strength and 30 s sit-to-stand were assessed at baseline and after 12 months. Intensity and duration were recorded in an exercise diary.
Results: No injuries occurred. Patients reported high adherence, median intensity 14 (13–15). Both groups maintained/improved physical performance by 2–18%, within a wide duration, mean 56 (range 3–194) min/week. No significant relationships were found between intensity or duration and baseline measures, or between improved physical performance and baseline measures, intensity, or duration.
Conclusion: Twelve months’ self-administered balance and resistance exercise were safe and adhered to, using the Borg scale, in patients with chronic kidney disease. Physical performance improved, showing that even short weekly durations can be efficacious when prescribed intensity is maintained.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Philippa Svensson, Matthias Hellberg, Anita Wisén, Naomi Clyne
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