Update on Exercise in Persons With Muscle Disease.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Myopathies present diverse symptoms like muscle weakness, atrophy, and pain, impacting daily activities and social participation.
• Exercise is recognized as a potential intervention to mitigate muscle function loss and alleviate secondary symptoms such as pain and fatigue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review research from the past decade on the effects of exercise interventions across various human myopathies.
• To synthesize findings on the efficacy and safety of different exercise modalities in managing myopathy.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of studies published within the last 10 years.
• Analysis of research examining exercise interventions in diverse myopathy types.
• Inclusion of studies with varying exercise types, intensities, and outcome measures.

Main Results:

• Despite study heterogeneity, aerobic/endurance and strength/resistance training generally show benefits for muscle strength and functional outcomes.
• Exercise therapies are typically safe and well-tolerated by individuals with myopathies.
• Small-scale studies characterize much of the existing research.

Conclusions:

• Exercise prescription should be integrated into standard neuromuscular care for myopathy patients, ideally with multidisciplinary input and individualized regimens.
• Further research is needed to optimize exercise type and intensity for maximum functional benefit and to explore combined approaches with novel therapies.