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Exercise training in metabolic myopathies.

Revue neurologique
October 1, 2016
J Vissing
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

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

Extracted Claims (4)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
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
Abstract

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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Exercise TherapyHumansMetabolic DiseasesMuscular Diseases
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety75
Efficacy65/10
Quality60/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations13
Citations/Year1.4
Relative Citation Ratio0.55
NIH Percentile29.8%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score1.53
Normalized Score0.68
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