title: Tolerance of Organ Transplant Recipients to Physical Activity during a High-Altitude Expedition: Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is generally unknown to what extent organ transplant recipients can be physically challenged. During an expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro, the tolerance for strenuous physical activity and high-altitude of organ transplant recipients after various types of transplantation was compared to non-transplanted controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve organ transplant recipients were selected to participate (2 heart-, 2 lung-, 2 kidney-, 4 liver-, 1 allogeneic stem cell- and 1 small bowel-transplantation). Controls comprised the members of the medical team and accompanying family members (n = 14). During the climb, cardiopulmonary parameters and symptoms of acute mountain sickness were recorded twice daily. Capillary blood analyses were performed three times during the climb and once following return.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven of the transplant participants and all controls began the final ascent from 4700 meters and reached over 5000 meters. Eight transplant participants (73%) and thirteen controls (93%) reached the summit (5895m). Cardiopulmonary parameters and altitude sickness scores demonstrated no differences between transplant participants and controls. Signs of hyperventilation were more pronounced in transplant participants and adaptation to high-altitude was less effective, which was related to a decreased renal function. This resulted in reduced metabolic compensation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, tolerance to strenuous physical activity and feasibility of a high-altitude expedition in carefully selected organ transplant recipients is comparable to non-transplanted controls.
authors.affiliation: Research and Innovation Group in Health Care and Nursing, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, the Netherlands.|Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.|Groningen Transplant Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Edwin J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: van Adrichem
authors.affiliation: Groningen Transplant Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marion J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Siebelink
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.|Groningen Transplant Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Bart L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Rottier
authors.affiliation: Center for Rehabilitation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Janneke M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dilling
authors.affiliation: Groningen Transplant Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Greetje
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kuiken
authors.affiliation: Research and Innovation Group in Health Care and Nursing, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, the Netherlands.|Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Cees P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: van der Schans
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Diseases and Tuberculosis, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.|Groningen Transplant Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Erik A M
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Verschuuren
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D005101:Expeditions; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009051:Mountaineering / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013636:Tanzania; D066027:Transplant Recipients