Exercise training in metabolic myopathies.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of resistance training in patients with metabolic myopathies, particularly focusing on its potential benefits and limitations.
Results Summary
The study found that low-intensity resistance training of short duration is tolerated in McArdle disease, and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is generally well-tolerated in metabolic myopathies. Training may also improve metabolic adaptations, such as increasing expression of defective enzymes in FAODs.
Population
Patients with metabolic myopathies, including muscle glycogenoses (GSDs) and disorders of muscle fat oxidation (FAODs).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
moderate intensity aerobic exercise | no change | tolerance | patients with metabolic myopathies | - | is well tolerated | #1 |
low-intensity resistance training of short duration | no change | tolerance | patients with McArdle disease | - | is tolerated | #2 |
Training | increase | expression of the defective, but partially functional enzyme | patients with FAOD | - | can expand the metabolic bottleneck by increasing expression | #3 |
different fuel supplementations and dietary interventions | increase | Exercise performance | patients with metabolic myopathies | - | can be improved | #4 |
Metabolic myopathies encompass muscle glycogenoses (GSD) and disorders of muscle fat oxidation (FAOD). FAODs and GSDs can be divided into two main clinical phenotypes; those with static symptoms related to fixed muscle weakness and atrophy, and those with dynamic, exercise-related symptoms that are brought about by a deficient supply of ATP. Together with mitochondrial myopathies, metabolic myopathies are unique among muscle diseases, as the limitation in exercise performance is not solely caused by structural damage of muscle, but also or exclusively related to energy deficiency. ATP consumption can increase 50-100-fold in contracting, healthy muscle from rest to exercise, and testing patients with exercise is therefore an appropriate approach to disclose limitations in work capacity and endurance in metabolic myopathies. Muscles rely almost exclusively on muscle glycogen in the initial stages of exercise and at high work intensities. Thus, patients with GSDs typically have symptoms early in exercise, have low peak work capacities and develop painful contractures in exercised muscles. Muscle relies on fat oxidation at rest and to a great extent during prolonged exercise, and therefore, patients with FAODs typically develop symptoms later in exercise than patients with GSDs. Due to the exercise-related symptoms in metabolic myopathies, patients generally have been advised to shun physical training. However, immobility is associated with multiple health issues, and may even cause unwanted metabolic adaptations, such as increased dependence on glycogen use and a reduced capacity for fatty acid oxidation, which is detrimental in GSDs. Training has not been studied systematically in any FAODs and in just a few GSDs. However, studies on single bouts of exercise in most metabolic myopathies show that particularly moderate intensity aerobic exercise is well tolerated in these conditions. Even low-intensity resistance training of short duration is tolerated in McArdle disease. Training in patients with FAOD potentially can also expand the metabolic bottleneck by increasing expression of the defective, but partially functional enzyme. Exercise performance in metabolic myopathies can be improved by different fuel supplementations and dietary interventions and should be considered as adjunct therapy to exercise training.