HEALTH-RELATED FITNESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN ORGAN TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS1,2

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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe the levels of health-related fitness and quality of life in a group of organ transplant recipients who participated in the 1996 U.S. Transplant Games. A total of 128 transplant recipients were selected on a first reply basis for testing. Subjects with the following organ types were tested: kidney(n=76), liver (n=16), heart (n=19), lung (n=6), pancreas/kidney (n=7), and bone marrow (n=4). Cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen uptake) was measured using symptom-limited treadmill exercise tests with expired gas analysis. The percentage of body fat was measured using skinfold measurements, and the Medical Outcomes Short Form questionnaire (SF-36) was used to evaluate health-related quality of life. Participants achieved near age-predicted cardiorespiratory fitness(94.7±32.5% of age-predicted levels). Scores on the SF-36 were near normal. The active subjects (76% of total sample) had significantly higher levels of peak VO2 and quality of life and a lower percentage of body fat compared with inactive subjects (P. Although this is a highly select group which is not representative of the general transplant population, the data suggest that near-normal levels of physical functioning and quality of life are possible after transplantation and that those who participate in regular physical activity may achieve even higher levels.