Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO1048

Maximal Muscle Power Is Positively Associated with Peak Oxygen Uptake (VO2 Peak), but Not Quality of Life, in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis

Session Information

• Hemodialysis: Clinical Challenges, Patient-Centered Outcomes, and Quality of Life
  October 23, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Dialysis

• 801 Dialysis: Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis

Authors

• Alarcon Acurero, Leonardo Jose, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Leonardo Jose Alarcon Acurero

• Giourdas, Ashley Danielle, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Ashley Danielle Giourdas, PhD

• Stafford, Lauren H., Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Lauren H. Stafford, MS

• Dillman, Drake, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Drake Dillman, MS

• Narayanan, Gayatri, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Gayatri Narayanan, MS

• Coggan, Andrew R., Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Andrew R. Coggan, PhD

• Lim, Kenneth, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Kenneth Lim, MD, PhD, FASN

Background

The loss of muscle power, termed powerpenia, declines at a faster rate than muscle mass and strength in aging adults and contributes to higher risk of disability, frailty, hospitalization and mortality. Each of these risk factors is disproportionately elevated in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet the link between powerpenia and cardiovascular functional capacity (CFC), a predictor of mortality, and quality of life are unknown in this population.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study of 23 patients from the ongoing ROCK-D study. Knee extensor maximal power, attained by isokinetic dynamometry, was used to stratify the cohort into low power (<4.05 W/kg) and high power (>4.05 W/kg) groups. CFC indices such as VO₂Peak were assessed using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). QoL was assessed using the physical functioning domain of the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36. Group comparisons were performed using t-test, Mann-Whitney U, or Fishers exact tests. Associations were assessed by Pearson’s correlations.

Results

The low and high power groups were similar in age (50.7±14.6 y vs 42.8±9.32 y), dialysis vintage (36 [16.2-79.5] mo vs 29 [20.5-134] mo) and race (all p’s>0.05). The low power group had higher BMI (29.1[25.0-31.8] kg/m² vs 24.4 [22.6-25.9] kg/m²), more females (48% vs 0%), and a higher prevalence of diabetes (50% vs 0%) (all p’s<0.05). Resting blood pressure and heart rate, creatinine, hemoglobin, and beta-blocker use were similar between groups (all p>0.05), while serum albumin was significantly lower in the low power group (3.93±0.24 g/dL vs 4.34±0.23 g/dL, p<0.001). Significantly, VO₂Peak was lower in the low power group (11.2±2.76 ml/kg/min) compared to high power group (16.4±3.40 ml/kg/min, p<0.001). Patients with low power also had lower peak workload (60.3±19.0 W) compared to those with high power (98.1±24.6 W, p<0.001). VO₂ at anerobic threshold and VE/VCO₂ were similar between groups (both p>0.05). Further, QoL was similar between groups (p=0.08). Maximal Power was associated with VO₂Peak (r=0.49, p<0.05) and peak workload (r=0.55, p<0.01), but not with VO₂AT (r=0.25, p=0.27), VE/VCO₂ (r=-0.07, p=0.74) or QoL (r=0.37, p=0.08).

Conclusion

Maximal power is associated with CFC, but not QoL, in patients receiving hemodialysis suggesting powerpenia may contribute to exercise limitations, though larger studies are needed.

Funding

• Other NIH Support