Training and rehabilitation

Physical exercise was for long considered deleterious for patients with neuromuscular diseases, because of strain on the musculature, which was thought to accelerate the disease process. Our research unit has produced a large body of evidence that exercise is not only well tolerated, but also highly beneficial in patients with muscle diseases. There are still many unsolved issues related to physical rehabilitation of patients with neuromuscular diseases, which we are currently investigating. These include studies on of training patients with very severe muscle weakness, using anti-gravity treadmill training, using other modes of training, such as high-intensity training, and studying the effect of supplements that may enhance exercise performance.



References

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  • Andersen G, Ørngreen MC, Preisler N, Jeppesen TD, Krag TO, Hauerslev S, van Hall G, Vissing J. Protein-carbohydrate supplements improve muscle protein balance in muscular dystrophy patients after endurance exercise: a placebo controlled crossover study. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2015; 308(2): R123-R130
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  • Sveen ML, Jeppesen TD, Hauerslev S, Krag TO, Vissing J. Endurance training: An effective and safe treatment for patients with LGMD2I. Neurology 2007; 68: 59-61.
  • Haller RG, Wyrick P, Taivassalo T, Vissing J. Aerobic conditioning: An effective therapy in McArdle disease. Ann Neurol 2006; 59: 922-928.
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  • Ørngreen, MC, Olsen DB, Vissing J. Aerobic training in patients with myotonic dystrophy type I. Ann Neurol 2005; 57: 754-757.