Exercise is one of the most common topics in the post-transplant recovery period, and the guidance varies enough between different activities that a comprehensive overview is more useful than a single general answer.
Walking: Light walking is acceptable from day one. It is low-impact, does not significantly raise blood pressure or produce heavy sweating, and supports circulation. The caveat is that outdoor walking in direct sunlight requires scalp protection in the first two weeks.
Running: Light jogging can resume from week three. Running that produces significant sweating and elevated heart rate should be avoided in the first two weeks. Heavy running — sustained cardio at high intensity — is better deferred to week four.
Cycling: Stationary bike from week two (low-intensity, no helmet required). Outdoor cycling requires a helmet, which should be deferred to week three to four when the recipient area is healed enough to tolerate gentle pressure without disrupting grafts.
Weight training: Light weight training from week four. Heavy compound lifts — deadlifts, squats, overhead press — that cause significant valsalva-type intra-abdominal pressure and blood pressure elevation should be deferred to week six.
Swimming: Pool swimming from week four to five (chlorine risk reduces as healing completes). Open water from week six.
Contact sports: Rugby, boxing, wrestling, martial arts — minimum eight weeks. The risk of impact to the recipient area carries real graft damage risk even after anchoring is complete in the early weeks.
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