Controlling Kidney Disease with Movement presented by Dr Brett Tarca, AEP
Supporting people living with kidney failure to participate in exercise and physical activity
For people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), their exercise needs are not fundamentally different, however they do require care that is responsive, empathetic, and evidence-based. Dr Brett Tarca (PhD, AEP) highlights that this population faces unique physiological challenges—but also stands to gain significant benefits from targeted and personalised movement interventions. Drawing from his clinical and research experience, Dr Tarca provides a comprehensive overview of physical activity and exercise across the CKD spectrum, including dialysis and transplant populations.
Learn about:
• How CKD and its treatments affect fatigue, cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and exercise capacity
• The safety and benefits of exercise for people living with CKD, including reduced mortality risk and improved quality of life
• Practical considerations for prescribing and adapting exercise programs across CKD stages, dialysis types, and transplant scenarios
The professional development covers:
• Evidence for participation in exercise and physical activity to enhance health outcomes and quality of life
• Exercise considerations and precautions for people living with kidney failure (across all stages)
• Common barriers and myths about exercise in kidney failure
• Current clinical guidelines and real-world examples
Brett Tarca is an Exercise Physiologist and Lecturer in the Clinical Exercise Physiology program at University of South Australia. He completed his Masters by Research and PhD in partnership with the Central Adelaide Local Health Network with a focus on the role of modifiable physical factors (strength, fitness, activity) in fatigue, depression and physical function for people receiving peritoneal dialysis, learning how exercise physiologists could tailor programs to this cohort. Brett was also a member of the team that developed the first exercise and physical activity guidelines for people receiving peritoneal dialysis and currently serves as Chair of the Early Career Researchers’ group within the Global Renal Exercise Network. His current research focus is exploring the impact of early exercise interventions on high priority patient outcomes in addition to exploring the effects of intradialytic exercise on cardiac parameters for people receiving haemodialysis.
Stream from 01 Aug