Abstract: 【Abstract】Objectives To explore the effect of the 12-week aerobic exercise on physiology function, cardiopulmonary endurance and health related life quality in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods Fourteen patients from our hospital were enrolled in this study. We measured peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), metabolic equivalents (METs) and stress test duration while taking treadmill exercise of Bruce Sport program, meanwhile, blood pressure and heart rate were recorded. Furthermore, the physical function was evaluated by the results of six-minute walking test (6MWT), cardiopulmonary endurance was measured by VO2peak, METs and stress test duration, and health related quality of life was evaluated by the Health-Related Short Form questionnaire (SF-36) recommended by Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) clinical practice. Aerobic exercise was defined as treadmill exercise in inter-dialysis of moderate intensity that reaches 50～80% VO2peak. The strategy of exercise was 30 minutes each time, three times per week for 12 weeks, which included 15 minutes warming-up before exercises and 5 minutes relaxing after exercises. We then evaluated the parameters after 12 weeks, and explored if there were statistical differences in these parameters before and after aerobic exercise training for 12 weeks. Results 6MWT slightly enhanced (Z =-1.132, P = 0.241), and VO2peak and stress test duration increased obviously (Z =-2.226, P =0.028 and Z =-2.701, P =0.007, respectively). METs was partially improvement but without statistical significance (Z =-1.632, P =0.103). The results of SF-36 improved significantly (Z =-2.701, P=0.007) after the 12-week exercise. Conclusion The 12-week exercise can partially improve physiological function, cardiopulmonary endurance and health related quality of life in MHD patients.

Key words: Aerobic exercise, Maintenance hemodialysis, Physiological function, Cardiopulmonary endurance, Health related quality of life