TRAINING AND NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASE

Abstract

127 The purpose of this study was to determine if 32 weeks of cardiovascular and strenght training coud improve the aerobic and ventilatory capacities and muscle strength of 6 male patients (age range 15 to 34 yrs) with neuromuscular disease (limb-girdle dystrofy, n=1; type III progressive spinal muscle atrophy, n=3; Steinert myotonic systrophy, n=1; and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, n=1) Cardiovascular training consisted of cycle ergometry at 70% VO2peak for 20 min., 3 times/week. Weight training involving the arms and shoulder muscles were performed at 70% maximal streight, 3 times/week with 3 sets of 8 repetition per exercise. Significante increases were seen in cardiovascular and respiratory capacities following training (see table above). Significant impovements were also seen for maximal voluntary ventilation(116.9±8.1 vs 125.7±8.8 L.min-1), maximal inspiratory pressure (33.3±8.0 vs 73.8±11.1 cm H2O) and maximal expiratory pressure (36.7±7.9 vs 70.8±11.5 cm H2O). Increases immuscle strenght were seen in the biceps (13%) and triceps (80%) brachii, trapezious (21%) and latissimus dorsi-pectoralis major (32%) muscles. This training regimen did not accelerate the progress of the disease. Indeed, the training saw improvements in cardiovascular, ventilatory and muscular capacities.Table