The Power of Movement: Why Exercise Matters After Transplantation
As Oxfordshire prepares to host the 2025 British Transplant Games, we’re reminded that every athlete’s journey begins long before the starting line. For transplant recipients, that journey starts with the gift of a donor organ—and the quality of its preservation.
At ScubaTx, we believe that better beginnings lead to better outcomes. Our advanced organ preservation technology combines precise hypothermic temperature control with persufflation—a method of gently delivering oxygen through the organ’s vasculature. This approach aims to reduce ischemic injury, extend preservation times, and improve transplant success rates. Because when organs arrive in better condition, recipients have a stronger foundation for recovery—and for life.
From Preservation to Performance: The Role of Exercise
Once transplantation is complete, the next chapter begins. Exercise plays a critical role in helping recipients rebuild their strength, confidence, and quality of life. The benefits are wide-ranging and well-supported by both clinical research and NHS guidance.
NHSBT Guidance on Physical Activity
According to NHS Blood and Transplant:
Walking is encouraged as early as 2–3 weeks post-surgery, gradually increasing over 6–8 weeks
Most sports and activities are possible, though heavy contact sports (e.g. rugby, boxing) should be avoided to protect surgical wounds
Driving is typically safe after 8 weeks, and many patients return to work within 4–6 months, depending on the nature of their job
This staged return to activity reflects the importance of gradual, supervised reconditioning, which aligns with clinical best practices.
Clinical and Physiological Benefits
Cardiovascular health: Transplant recipients are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. A 2021 review in Transplantation Reviews found that regular aerobic exercise significantly improves cardiorespiratory fitness and reduces cardiovascular risk
Graft function and survival: Physical activity has been associated with improved graft function and reduced risk of graft loss
Muscle and bone health: Immunosuppressive medications can lead to muscle wasting and osteoporosis. Resistance and weight-bearing exercises help counteract these effects
Metabolic regulation: Exercise improves insulin sensitivity, lipid profiles, and body composition—key factors in managing post-transplant metabolic syndrome
Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
Reduced anxiety and depression: A 2020 study in Clinical Transplantation found that transplant recipients who engaged in regular physical activity reported significantly lower levels of depression and anxiety
Improved cognitive function: Exercise enhances neuroplasticity and cognitive performance, which can be affected by long-term illness and medication.
Social and emotional resilience: Group-based physical activity and events like the Transplant Games foster community, purpose, and a renewed sense of identity.
The British Transplant Games: A Celebration of Possibility
With over 24 sports and hundreds of participants, the British Transplant Games are a powerful reminder of what’s possible after transplantation. They showcase not just athleticism, but hope, healing, and human connection. They also raise awareness of organ donation and encourage families to have life-saving conversations.
A Call to Action
At ScubaTx, we’re proud to support innovations that improve transplant outcomes from the very beginning. But recovery doesn’t stop in the operating room—it continues with every step, every swim, every breath. As we cheer on the athletes in Oxfordshire, let’s celebrate the science, the spirit, and the strength that make these journeys possible.