About this Research Topic
To showcase the physiological abilities of transplant recipients the World Transplant Games was developed. The first Games in 1978 involved 99 competitors, which increased to 1500 in 2017, and over 2,500 competitors in 2023. Unfortunately, such an increase in participation has not been matched by an increase in our understanding of exercise responses in solid-organ recipients. Furthermore, there is little research regarding the physical preparation of individuals before receiving their transplant, and the potential to optimize recovery and participation in subsequent physical activity or structured exercise programs.
Before receiving their organ transplant many patients have either not undertaken exercise to any extent or have experienced chronic deconditioning in the period leading up to the need for an organ transplant. In this instance, preparing the patient for surgery both physically and mentally is imperative. Following surgery, most organ recipients follow a lifelong course of medications, particularly immunosuppressants, to maintain the health of the received organ, the effects of which are not well documented in the literature. Nevertheless, in all scenarios, organ recipients have been given ‘the gift of life’ or a ‘second chance of life’ which brings to the fore many more research questions than those of traditional exercise physiology, such as psychology and sociology to name but two.
Although research studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of exercise for solid organ recipients, far fewer studies are available regarding those who undertake regular exercise training to purposefully compete at recreational, national, or international events. Indeed, some organ recipients do manage to return to their pre-transplant performance standard and, although this is not the case or goal of many organ recipients, this still represents an important gap in our knowledge regarding organ recipients and their exercise responses. Consequently, there is a need for us to understand not only the role of exercise across the clinical components of the transplant journey but also the whole spectrum of exercise goals and activities following organ recipients’ initial rehabilitation.
The goal of this special issue is to facilitate the coming together of all disciplines within exercise and sports science to forward our knowledge of organ recipients and their exercise-related responses; whether as part of prehabilitation before surgery or post-surgery for health reasons, recreational activities, or, for some, a return to competitive sport. Many organ recipients experience exercise for the first time through their rehabilitation journey, undertaking considerable changes in behavior, others are highly motivated to continue with previous athletic endeavors. Additionally, the need for an organ transplant may be evident from childhood or at older ages, from acute or chronic illness. Thus, the background of the population of interest varies considerably and needs to be understood more fully to optimize an individual’s exercise experience. As practitioners, it is therefore paramount to understand all organ-recipients' experiences whether they have previously not exercised or whether they are performance-oriented.
The scope of the special issue is therefore purposefully wide-ranging, including all traditional disciplines within exercise and sports science such as; physiology, biochemistry, nutrition, rehabilitation, injury, physical activity, and psychology but also those of sociology and health, from quantitative and qualitative approaches, to fully encompass the exercise journeys and experiences of solid-organ recipients. We envisage studies regarding individuals either preparing for transplant, at the start of their rehabilitation or those who are many years post-surgery. Studies of changes in exercise behavior, transitions from pre- to post-surgery, rehabilitation to active lifestyles and further transitions to sport and performance goals are welcome to help underpin our understanding of the exercise and transplant journey. Furthermore, studies examining specific exercise recommendations pre-surgery and throughout rehabilitation, exercise modalities, and potential risks across the range of different organs received are anticipated. Finally, studies focusing on different groups across the lifespan from children to older age groups are also welcomed.
Before receiving their organ transplant many patients have either not undertaken exercise to any extent or have experienced chronic deconditioning in the period leading up to the need for an organ transplant. In this instance, preparing the patient for surgery both physically and mentally is imperative. Following surgery, most organ recipients follow a lifelong course of medications, particularly immunosuppressants, to maintain the health of the received organ, the effects of which are not well documented in the literature. Nevertheless, in all scenarios, organ recipients have been given ‘the gift of life’ or a ‘second chance of life’ which brings to the fore many more research questions than those of traditional exercise physiology, such as psychology and sociology to name but two.
Although research studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of exercise for solid organ recipients, far fewer studies are available regarding those who undertake regular exercise training to purposefully compete at recreational, national, or international events. Indeed, some organ recipients do manage to return to their pre-transplant performance standard and, although this is not the case or goal of many organ recipients, this still represents an important gap in our knowledge regarding organ recipients and their exercise responses. Consequently, there is a need for us to understand not only the role of exercise across the clinical components of the transplant journey but also the whole spectrum of exercise goals and activities following organ recipients’ initial rehabilitation.
The goal of this special issue is to facilitate the coming together of all disciplines within exercise and sports science to forward our knowledge of organ recipients and their exercise-related responses; whether as part of prehabilitation before surgery or post-surgery for health reasons, recreational activities, or, for some, a return to competitive sport. Many organ recipients experience exercise for the first time through their rehabilitation journey, undertaking considerable changes in behavior, others are highly motivated to continue with previous athletic endeavors. Additionally, the need for an organ transplant may be evident from childhood or at older ages, from acute or chronic illness. Thus, the background of the population of interest varies considerably and needs to be understood more fully to optimize an individual’s exercise experience. As practitioners, it is therefore paramount to understand all organ-recipients' experiences whether they have previously not exercised or whether they are performance-oriented.
The scope of the special issue is therefore purposefully wide-ranging, including all traditional disciplines within exercise and sports science such as; physiology, biochemistry, nutrition, rehabilitation, injury, physical activity, and psychology but also those of sociology and health, from quantitative and qualitative approaches, to fully encompass the exercise journeys and experiences of solid-organ recipients. We envisage studies regarding individuals either preparing for transplant, at the start of their rehabilitation or those who are many years post-surgery. Studies of changes in exercise behavior, transitions from pre- to post-surgery, rehabilitation to active lifestyles and further transitions to sport and performance goals are welcome to help underpin our understanding of the exercise and transplant journey. Furthermore, studies examining specific exercise recommendations pre-surgery and throughout rehabilitation, exercise modalities, and potential risks across the range of different organs received are anticipated. Finally, studies focusing on different groups across the lifespan from children to older age groups are also welcomed.
Keywords: Exercise, Sport, Solid-organ transplant, rehabilitation, performance
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