Higher cardiorespiratory fitness associated with a slower age-related decline in kidney function
As Japan's population continues to age, age-related declines in kidney function and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are becoming increasingly prevalent, underscoring the need for effective preventive strategies. Despite growing interest in the health benefits of cardiorespiratory fitness, its relationship with future kidney function decline remains poorly understood, particularly among individuals…
A new study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise has found a link between higher cardiorespiratory fitness and a slower decline in kidney function among older adults with normal kidney health. As Japan's aging population faces increasing rates of chronic kidney disease (CKD), researchers sought to understand if maintaining fitness could help protect kidney health later in life.
The study followed 198 adults over a five-year period, measuring their cardiorespiratory fitness using a submaximal cycling test. The results showed that those with higher fitness levels experienced a slower age-related decline in kidney function compared to their less fit counterparts. This association remained significant even after accounting for factors like age, sex, body composition, smoking, comorbidities, and baseline kidney function.
Participants with higher fitness were also less likely to experience a clinically meaningful 20% or greater decline in kidney function during the follow-up period. The researchers caution that this observational study does not prove a direct causal relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and kidney function decline. However, the findings suggest that preserving fitness may contribute to extending healthy life expectancy and reducing the risk of CKD.
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