Online Exercise Program for Transplant Patients: A Pilot Study

Maximal isometric strength of the hip flexors and hip abductors will be assessed using hand-held dynamometry. Three maximal voluntary contractions will be performed for each muscle group, and the maximum value will be recorded in kilogram-force (kgf).

Handgrip strength will be assessed using a Jamar® hydraulic dynamometer. Three maximal voluntary contractions will be performed with each hand, and the maximum value will be recorded in kilograms (kg).

Functional capacity will be assessed using the 60-Second Sit-to-Stand Test (STS-60). The total number of complete sit-to-stand repetitions performed within 60 seconds will be recorded. A higher number of repetitions indicates better functional performance.

Functional mobility and dynamic balance will be assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The time required to stand from a chair, walk 3 metres, turn, return, and sit down will be recorded in seconds.

Walking capacity will be assessed using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). The total distance walked during 6 minutes will be recorded in metres (m).

Physical activity will be assessed using the Human Activity Profile (HAP). The Adjusted Activity Score (AAS) will be recorded.

Risk of sarcopenia will be assessed using the SARC-F questionnaire. The total score ranges from 0 to 10, with a score ≥4 indicating risk of sarcopenia.

Frailty will be assessed using the FRAIL scale. Scores range from 0 to 5, with a score ≥3 indicating frailty.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound will be used to assess rectus femoris muscle thickness (mm), cross-sectional area (cm²), and muscle echogenicity.

Waist circumference, upper-arm circumference, and calf circumference will be measured using standardised procedures and recorded in centimetres (cm).

Body composition will be assessed using bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA), including muscle mass.

Triiodothyronine (T3) is the primary biologically active form of thyroid signaling molecules. Measures both bound and free T3 combined. (ng/dL)

Thyroxine (T4) is one of the two main hormones produced by the thyroid gland.(mcg/dL)

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone (androgen), although it is also present and essential in females in much smaller amounts. It is a steroid hormone synthesized primarily from cholesterol; (ng/dL :nanograms per deciliter)

Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands (located on top of each kidney) that is essential for life and regulates a wide range of vital processes throughout the body.

Estrogens are a group of hormones crucial for sexual and reproductive development, primarily in women.Estrogen levels are typically measured via a blood test and reported in picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) or picomoles per liter (pmol/L).

Progesterone is an endogenous 21-carbon steroid hormone derived from cholesterol. It is primarily classified as a progestogen (the main one in the human body) and plays a fundamental role in regulating the menstrual cycle, supporting early pregnancy, and promoting embryogenesis.

Fasting glucose (glicemia a digiuno) is a blood test that measures the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood after an overnight fast (usually 8 to 12 hours without eating or drinking anything except water). It is primarily used to screen for and diagnose prediabetes and diabetes.Fasting glucose is typically measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L).

Creatinine is a waste product produced by muscles from the breakdown of a compound called creatine. Your kidneys filter creatinine from your blood and excrete it through urine. Measuring creatinine levels is the most common way to assess how well your kidneys are functioning.Milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

The Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is a blood test that estimates how well your kidneys are filtering waste. It is the primary metric used by medical professionals to determine your level of kidney function and to stage Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). The measurement is reported in milliliters per minute per 1.73 square meters of body surface area (mL/min/1.73 m²).

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein made by the liver that increases when there is active inflammation or infection in the body.CRP is typically measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

Albumin is the most abundant circulating protein found in blood plasma, representing about 50% to 60% of all plasma proteins. Synthesized exclusively by the liver, it performs two vital biological functions: maintaining oncotic pressure (which keeps fluid from leaking out of blood vessels into surrounding tissues) and transporting molecules like hormones, fatty acids, bilirubin, medications, and ions throughout the body. Normal Adult Reference Range: 3.4 to 5.4 g/dL (grams per deciliter) or 34 to 54 g/L (grams per liter).

Total cholesterol is a measurement of the total amount of cholesterol in your blood. It is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body needs to build healthy cells, but having too much of it can increase your risk of heart disease.mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter).

A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a standard blood test that evaluates your overall health and detects a wide range of disorders, including anemia, infection, and leukemia. It measures the three primary types of cells in your blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Albuminuria is a pathological condition characterized by the abnormal presence of albumin-a primary plasma protein-in the urine. (mg/day)