Impact of intradialytic exercise intensity on urea clearance in hemodialysis patients.

Intradialytic exercise (IDE) has been shown to benefit dialysis efficacy; however, the effect of IDE intensity is unknown. Dialyzer urea clearance (K urea, mL/min) was significantly greater during both IDE protocols (55% and 70% maximal heart rate, HRmax), compared with no IDE (p < 0.05). No significant difference in K urea was found between IDE protocols (55% vs. 70% HRmax) (p > 0.05). Results show that higher intensity IDE has no additional benefit on K urea.