1. Impact of Habitual Exercise on the Strength of Individuals with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1.
- Author
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Brady, Lauren I., MacNeil, Lauren G., and Tarnopolsky, Mark A.
- Subjects
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ACADEMIC medical centers , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *EXERCISE , *MUSCLE strength , *MYOTONIA atrophica , *CONTINUING education units , *RETROSPECTIVE studies , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics - Abstract
Objective: It remains unclear whether habitual physical activity can attenuate the rate of progressive muscle strength loss in individuals with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM 1). The aim of this study was to identify whether there were any strength differences between DM 1 patients who were habitually active or sedentary. Design: Knee extension, handgrip, and elbow flexion quantitative strength measurements were investigated in the DM 1 patients using isokinetic dynamometry. Strength was compared between the patients who followed self-selected formal exercise plans for at least 1 yr, those who were sedentary (controls), and those who initiated or terminated a formal exercise routine. Results: Physically active DM1 patients with midrange CTG repeat size (100 -500 CTG repeat sizes) had significantly stronger handgrip and knee extension and elbow flexion torques as compared with their sedentary counterparts with the same CTG repeat range. The DM 1 patients who began a formal exercise routine experienced a significant improvement in knee extension torque measurements (+24.3%) in comparison with those who were habitually active or sedentary. Conclusions: These data suggest that there is an association between physical activity and strength. This may be shown to be a useful tool for the management of this condition. Further investigations into the relationships between physical exercise, muscle weakness, and genetic factors are needed before evidence-based recommendations can be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
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