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Exercise therapy in patients with myopathy.
1Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. b.phillips@physio.unimelb.edu.au
Current Opinion in Neurology
|November 10, 2000
Summary
Exercise programs can improve strength and cardiovascular fitness in myopathy patients. While most training is safe, eccentric exercise may pose risks, requiring further research for optimal protocols.
Area of Science:
- Exercise physiology
- Neuromuscular disorders
Background:
- Myopathy commonly causes muscle weakness, reduced endurance, and poor cardiovascular fitness.
- Current exercise interventions aim to mitigate these impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effects of different exercise modalities on patients with myopathy.
- To identify safe and effective training protocols for improving daily function.
Main Methods:
- Review of strength-training (isometric, isotonic, isokinetic, eccentric) and aerobic training programs.
- Analysis of studies assessing muscle strength, endurance, cardiovascular fitness, and muscle damage markers.
Main Results:
- Strength training shows short-term muscle strength gains without significant muscle damage.
- Aerobic training improves cardiovascular fitness, strength, and endurance safely.
- Eccentric exercise may have adverse effects in myopathy patients.
Conclusions:
- Both strength and aerobic training can benefit myopathy patients.
- Further research is needed to optimize exercise protocols for different myopathy types and enhance daily independence.