Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy is a disease of the muscle cell, evident by decreases in muscular strength, power and endurance. Types of muscular dystrophy include Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the most common, with an incidence rate of 20 to 30 boys per 100,000 live births; Becker muscular dystrophy; Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD); and myotonic muscular dystrophy.

Potential Benefits of Exercise

• Maintenance and improvement in muscular strength for performing activities of daily living (ADLs) such as stair climbing
• Slow the rate of increased weakness or contracture development which can prolong ambulation
• Maintain sufficient respiratory capacity
• Strengthened postural muscles, which can slow the formation of scoliosis

Important Considerations Before Exercising

• Obtain a complete medical evaluation and physician consent before beginning an exercise program.
• Work with your cardiologist to determine cardiovascular complications, such as cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, and right and left ventricular dilation which may limit your ability to exercise or the intensity at which you exercise.
• Obtain a specialized prescription for spinal deformities, such as scoliosis, kyphoscoliosis and lordosis.
• Respiratory problems: be aware of possible complications associated with weakness in the respiratory muscles.
• If you experience exercise-related cramps or fatigue, rest and decrease intensity.
• Log your daily activities so that you can determine the appropriate intensity for your exercise program.
• Set reasonable goals with activities that are fun and game-oriented.
• Nutritional counseling coupled with the exercise program will help prevent weight gain.

Cardiovascular Training Guidelines

• Set an exercise pace that feels good to you. Rate your level of exertion by the Rating of Perceived Exertion scale (range of 6 to 20 where 6 = very light, and 20 = very, very hard); 12 to 14 is a good target zone. For more information, see the General Exercise Guidelines factsheet.
• Focus on the duration, rather than the intensity of your workout.
• Engage in brief walking sessions (20 to 30 meters) several times daily, to increase cardiovascular endurance. The walking surface must be level.
• Perform exercises that utilize multiple, rather than single, muscle groups.

Types of cardiovascular training:

• Arm and leg ergometry
• Walking, cycling, swimming

Strength Training Guidelines

• Strength training should help you retain strength in your arms, shoulders, legs, and hips. Your balance and trunk stability can indicate the preferred type of strengthening program.
• Splints or braces can assist in a strengthening program if you experience muscle weakness or atrophy.
• If possible, perform multi-joint rather than single-joint exercises.
• Note that it may be necessary to limit your use of weights so that you have energy left over for other tasks.
• Focus on increasing the number of repetitions rather than increasing the weight. Do not use the overload principle.
• If you do use weights, utilize light weights or no resistance. Begin with one set of five to 10 repetitions, and work up to three sets of eight to 12 repetitions, three sessions per week.
• Do not strength-train the same muscle groups on consecutive days.

Types of strength training:

• Weight machines
• Dynamometer: for grip strength or back/leg strength
• Thera-band: elastic resistance bands

Flexibility Training Guidelines

• The goal of flexibility training is to improve range of motion, balance and coordination.
• Perform a complete warm-up and cool down stretching program before and after each exercise program. Ideally, stretches should be held for 10 to 30 seconds, repeated three times, and performed three to four times daily.
• Focus on main muscle groups, especially those more likely to develop contractures, such as those in your arms, wrists, fingers, shoulders, legs, and hips.
• Perform all stretches in a fluid manner.
• AVOID overstretching or hypermobility.

Types of flexibility training:

• Active stretches: stretches you perform on your own.
• Passive stretches: stretches someone helps you perform.

Note

The information provided here is offered as a service only. The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, University of Illinois at Chicago, the National Center on Accessibility, and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago do not formally recommend or endorse the equipment listed. As with any products or services, consumers should investigate and determine on their own which equipment best fits their needs and budget.
National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
http://www.ncpad.org
ncpad@uic.edu
(800) 900-8086 (voice and TTY)
(312) 355-4058 (facsimile)

Organizations

1. Muscular Dystrophy Association :
   Tucson , Arizona

Journals

1. Sonstroem RJ, Potts SA. (1996). Life adjustment correlates of physical self-concepts. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 28, 619-625.

Pamphlets

1. MDA Publications. 101 Hints to "Help-with-Ease" for Patients with Neuromuscular Disease: A Do-It-Yourself Owner's Guide.

This fact sheet was last updated on 03-02-2007.

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