Participants
cardiac instability, myocardial infarction, angina, decompensated congestive heart failure, arteriovenous stenosis, musculoskeletal pain, hyperglycemia, infection, arrhythmias, lower extremity amputation, shortness of breath
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, HEMODYNAMIC INSTABILITY, HYPERGLYCEMIA, INFECTION, HYPOGLYCEMIA, ARRHYTHMIAS
Individuals were eligible to participate in the study after meeting all of the following inclusion criteria: 1) age ≥ 18 years; 2) receiving regular HD 3 times a week; 3) on HD for at least 1 year, 4) absence of a history of myocardial infarction within the past 3 months; 5) permission from their physician to participate; and, 6) had capacity to provide informed consent to participate in the study. Individuals were excluded if they met any of the following exclusion criteria: 1) cardiac instability (angina, decompensated congestive heart failure, severe arteriovenous stenosis, uncontrolled arrhythmias, etc.); 2) active infection or acute medical illness; 3) hemodynamic instability (systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg or mean arterial pressure < 60 mmHg); 4) labile glycemic control (extreme swings in blood glucose levels, causing hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia); 5) inability to exercise (e.g. lower extremity amputation with no prosthesis); 6) severe musculoskeletal pain at rest or with minimal activity; 7) inability to sit, stand or walk unassisted (walking device such as cane or walker allowed); or 8) shortness of breath at rest or with activities of daily living (NYHA Class IV).