Abstract des Autors

Liver disease adversely affects cardiovascular and respiratory functions and several metabolic pathways. These alterations, which parallel liver failure degree, can restrict the adaptive mechanisms entrained by exertion. In addition, due to either complications or dyspeptic disorders, these patients are frequently unable to achieve adequate caloric and protein intake with the diet. Finally, in the presence of portal hypertension, the exertion-related risk of gastrointestinal bleeding may be assumed as increased. On the other hand, physical activity could have favourable effects on a number of body functions and systems. Such an assumption prompted several investigations to assess the effect of exercise on the clinical features and course of both acute and chronic live diseases. Available data indicate that an early physical activity, although strenuous, does not adversely influence either the short or long term recovery from both epidemic and post-transfusional acute hepatitis. Conversely, a heavy physical activity should be prohibited to patients with advanced cirrhosis. In subjects with chronic hepatitis and compensated cirrhosis physical conditioning, provided that it is individually tailored and performed under careful clinical and laboratory surveillance, increases oxygen consumption, work capacity, and muscle mass, and can promote subjective improvement, without deteriorating liver function tests. Verf.-Referat