Physical exercise and Prader-Willi syndrome: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Exercise physiology
• Genetics and rare diseases

Background:

• Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disorder characterized by decreased physical performance and impaired physiological responses to exercise.
• Individuals with PWS often exhibit reduced cardiorespiratory fitness, hormonal imbalances, and metabolic dysregulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the acute physiological responses to exercise in individuals with PWS.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of long-term exercise interventions in improving clinical manifestations of PWS.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of studies published up to December 2018 was conducted.
• Twenty-two studies involving 356 patients with PWS were included after searching major electronic databases.

Main Results:

• Patients with PWS show diminished physical performance and impaired cardiorespiratory and hormonal responses to exercise.
• Long-term exercise interventions effectively reduced body mass and improved physical performance in most studies.
• Benefits were also observed in biochemical and biomechanical variables, though effects on body composition remain debated. No adverse events were reported.

Conclusions:

• Exercise interventions appear safe and beneficial for improving physical fitness and other phenotypes in PWS.
• Further research is required to confirm exercise efficacy for body mass reduction, especially in conjunction with dietary strategies.