An interventional study of Resistance Exercise and Aerobic Training in Osteopenia, Bone Metabolism Disorders and Chronic Kidney Disease (Stage 3-4), sponsored by Sinai University. Completed at 1 site in Egypt. Open to participants aged 30 Years to 50 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-08-21.
Sponsored by Sinai University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This randomized controlled trial investigates the comparative effects of aerobic versus resistance training on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism markers in patients with stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD). The primary aim is to evaluate the impact of two distinct exercise modalities on serum osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), and the OPG/RANKL ratio, as well as densitometric changes at key skeletal sites.
Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) is a common complication in non-dialysis CKD patients, driven by disrupted calcium-phosphate metabolism, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and altered bone remodeling pathways, such as the OPG-RANKL axis. Exercise is an emerging non-pharmacological strategy to mitigate skeletal deterioration in CKD, yet the differential effects of aerobic and resistance training on bone health remain poorly understood in this population.
This study recruited 60 CKD patients (stage 3-4, aged 30-50 years) and randomly allocated them into two groups (n=30 each): a resistance training group and an aerobic exercise group. Both groups underwent supervised exercise 3 times per week for six months. Bone mineral density was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at the lumbar spine (L2-L4), femoral neck, and distal radius. Serum concentrations of OPG and RANKL were measured via ELISA at baseline and post-intervention.
73 studies on the registry are indexed under Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder; 20 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 60 is above the median of 54 across 34 interventional studies indexed under Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder.
Browse Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder studies →Sinai University is the lead sponsor of 24 studies on the registry; 11 are open to participants now.
Compared within Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder, this study's primary condition as ClinicalTrials.gg classifies it; the registry's first condition term is Bone Diseases, Metabolic. The counts are of registry records indexed under each term, refreshed daily. How we classify →
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Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
BMI (body mass index)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Corticosteroids (steroids)
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Contraindication
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Investigational drug or device
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants in this arm engaged in supervised resistance training three times per week for six months. Each session included: 5-minute warm-up with dynamic stretching and range-of-motion exercises 30-minute resistance training using weight machines targeting major muscle groups (upper limbs, lower limbs, and trunk) Intensity: 60% to 80% of one-repetition maximum (1-RM), adjusted progressively 10-minute cool-down with static stretching Sessions were monitored by trained physiotherapists.
Behavioral: Resistance Exercise
Participants in this arm performed supervised aerobic exercise (treadmill walking) three times per week for six months. Each session included: 5-minute warm-up 30-minute treadmill walking at 60%-80% of age-predicted maximum heart rate (HRmax = 220 - age) 10-minute cool-down Exercise sessions were supervised by trained exercise professionals and tailored to maintain target heart rate zones.
Behavioral: Aerobic Training
Structured machine-based resistance exercise protocol performed under supervision, targeting osteogenic loading to improve bone mineral density and alter bone metabolism markers in CKD stage 3-4 patients.
Participants in this arm performed supervised aerobic exercise (treadmill walking) three times per week for six months. Each session included: 5-minute warm-up 30-minute treadmill walking at 60%-80% of age-predicted maximum heart rate (HRmax = 220 - age) 10-minute cool-down Exercise sessions were supervised by trained exercise professionals and tailored to maintain target heart rate zones.
Change in Serum Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and RANKL Concentrations
To determine biochemical changes in bone metabolism markers. Both OPG (pg/mL) and RANKL (ng/mL) are measured using validated ELISA kits.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 months post-intervention
Change in Bone Mineral Density (BMD)
To assess densitometric changes in skeletal structure due to exercise. BMD is measured in g/cm² using ISCD-certified DEXA equipment.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 months post-intervention
Change in OPG/RANKL Ratio
Baseline to 6 months post-intervention
Time frame: To assess the regulatory balance of bone remodeling. A higher OPG/RANKL ratio reflects reduced osteoclastic activity and improved bone metabolic status.
Change in eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate)
To explore the potential renal benefits of structured exercise in CKD patients. Measured in mL/min/1.73 m².
Time frame: Baseline to 6 months
Change in Serum Albumin and Hemoglobin Levels
These indicators provide information about overall nutritional and hematologic status. Albumin (g/dL) and Hemoglobin (g/dL) are assessed via standard lab procedures.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 months
This study is completed, as verified in Aug 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder →
Sinai University