Effect of physical activity on the risk of new-onset chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Abstract Objective The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the association between physical activity levels and the risk of developing new-onset chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods In accordance with PRISMA guidelines and PROSPERO registration, a detailed literature...

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Main Authors: Arman Shafiee, Fatemeh Movahed, Masoud Dehbozorgi, Sanam Mirzaei, Ali Kolahdooz, Saleheh Khorasani, Farima Safari, Saba Goodarzi, Neda Izadi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-07-01
Series:Discover Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00740-1
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author Arman Shafiee
Fatemeh Movahed
Masoud Dehbozorgi
Sanam Mirzaei
Ali Kolahdooz
Saleheh Khorasani
Farima Safari
Saba Goodarzi
Neda Izadi
author_facet Arman Shafiee
Fatemeh Movahed
Masoud Dehbozorgi
Sanam Mirzaei
Ali Kolahdooz
Saleheh Khorasani
Farima Safari
Saba Goodarzi
Neda Izadi
author_sort Arman Shafiee
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the association between physical activity levels and the risk of developing new-onset chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods In accordance with PRISMA guidelines and PROSPERO registration, a detailed literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane and Web of Science databases until April 13, 2025. Meta-analysis was performed using random effect model, assessing heterogeneity and publication bias. Results Thirteen prospective cohort studies were included, with a pooled analysis showing a protective effect of low and moderate physical activity against CKD (hazard ratio= 0.91; 95% CI: 0.87–0.96). High levels of physical activity showed a stronger preventive effect (hazard ratio= 0.85; 95% CI: 0.79–0.92). The quality assessment of the studies indicates acceptable quality, with good results for selection and outcomes, but some shortcomings in comparability. No publication bias was found for either outcome. Conclusion The results of this study provide compelling evidence that physical activity, particularly at higher levels, significantly reduces the risk of new-onset CKD and alsoemphasize the importance of incorporating physical activity into public health strategies aimed at preventing chronic kidney disease. Given the stronger preventive effect observed with high levels of physical activity, the promotion and encouragement of individuals should be emphasized. However, heterogeneity in study designs and definitions of physical activity and CKD may limit the generalizability of these findings
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spelling doaj-art-af636291cccd4f9cbba66ec12a0d3ba12025-08-20T03:45:22ZengSpringerDiscover Public Health3005-07742025-07-0122112810.1186/s12982-025-00740-1Effect of physical activity on the risk of new-onset chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studiesArman Shafiee0Fatemeh Movahed1Masoud Dehbozorgi2Sanam Mirzaei3Ali Kolahdooz4Saleheh Khorasani5Farima Safari6Saba Goodarzi7Neda Izadi8Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical SciencesSchool of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical SciencesSchool of Medicine, RWTH Aachen UniversityStudent Research Committee, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical SciencesStudent Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical SciencesStudent Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical SciencesStudent Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesStudent Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical SciencesResearch Center for Social Determinants of Health, Research Institute for Metabolic and Obesity Disorders, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesAbstract Objective The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the association between physical activity levels and the risk of developing new-onset chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods In accordance with PRISMA guidelines and PROSPERO registration, a detailed literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane and Web of Science databases until April 13, 2025. Meta-analysis was performed using random effect model, assessing heterogeneity and publication bias. Results Thirteen prospective cohort studies were included, with a pooled analysis showing a protective effect of low and moderate physical activity against CKD (hazard ratio= 0.91; 95% CI: 0.87–0.96). High levels of physical activity showed a stronger preventive effect (hazard ratio= 0.85; 95% CI: 0.79–0.92). The quality assessment of the studies indicates acceptable quality, with good results for selection and outcomes, but some shortcomings in comparability. No publication bias was found for either outcome. Conclusion The results of this study provide compelling evidence that physical activity, particularly at higher levels, significantly reduces the risk of new-onset CKD and alsoemphasize the importance of incorporating physical activity into public health strategies aimed at preventing chronic kidney disease. Given the stronger preventive effect observed with high levels of physical activity, the promotion and encouragement of individuals should be emphasized. However, heterogeneity in study designs and definitions of physical activity and CKD may limit the generalizability of these findingshttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00740-1Physical activityChronic kidney diseaseIncidenceSystematic reviewMeta-analysis
spellingShingle Arman Shafiee
Fatemeh Movahed
Masoud Dehbozorgi
Sanam Mirzaei
Ali Kolahdooz
Saleheh Khorasani
Farima Safari
Saba Goodarzi
Neda Izadi
Effect of physical activity on the risk of new-onset chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
Discover Public Health
Physical activity
Chronic kidney disease
Incidence
Systematic review
Meta-analysis
title Effect of physical activity on the risk of new-onset chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
title_full Effect of physical activity on the risk of new-onset chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
title_fullStr Effect of physical activity on the risk of new-onset chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
title_full_unstemmed Effect of physical activity on the risk of new-onset chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
title_short Effect of physical activity on the risk of new-onset chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
title_sort effect of physical activity on the risk of new onset chronic kidney disease a systematic review and meta analysis of cohort studies
topic Physical activity
Chronic kidney disease
Incidence
Systematic review
Meta-analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00740-1
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