The use of nonfatiguing strengthening exercises in post-polio syndrome

This study has been done to determine if there is any beneficial effect from the use of nonfatiguing strengthening exercises in the presence of post-polio syndrome. Following accurate identification by EMG of muscles that could be called "post-polio muscles," the use of physiotherapy by offering nonfatiguing strengthening exercises provided either a maintenance or a beneficial effect to these muscles. Only one muscle demonstrated reduced strength during the treatment protocol for reasons unassociated with the project. All other muscles, 31 in 6 patients, demonstrated either maintenance of pretreatment strength (17 muscles), or improvement (14 muscles). We feel that the combination of accurate identification of these muscles, followed by strict adherence to a supervised program of nonfatiguing exercise for a period of at least 3 months, provides help for these patients who have developed recurrent weakness 20 years after normal function following poliomyelitis.