Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of regular aerobic training and postexercise protein-carbohydrate supplementation in patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD).
METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study, we randomized untrained men (n = 21) and women (n = 20) with FSHD (age 19-65 years) to 2 training groups-training with protein supplement (n = 18) and training with placebo supplement (n = 13)-and a nonintervention control group (n = 10). We assessed fitness, walking speed, muscle strength, questionnaires, and daily activity levels before and after 12 weeks of interventions. Training involved 36 sessions of 30-minute cycle-ergometer training. After each session, patients drank either a protein-carbohydrate or placebo beverage.
RESULTS: In the trained participants, fitness, workload, and walking speed improved (10% [confidence interval (CI) 4%-15%], 18% [CI 10%-26%], 7% [CI 4%-11%], respectively, p < 0.001, number needed to treat = 2.1). Self-assessed physical capacity and health (Short Form-36) also improved. Muscle strength and daily activity levels did not change with training. Protein-carbohydrate supplementation did not result in further improvements in any tests compared to training alone.
CONCLUSIONS: This randomized, controlled study showed that regular endurance training improves fitness, walking speed, and self-assessed health in patients with FSHD without causing muscle damage. Postexercise protein-carbohydrate supplementation does not add any further improvement to training effects alone.
CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that regular aerobic training with or without postexercise protein-carbohydrate supplementation improves fitness and workload in patients with FSHD.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Neurology |
Volume | 85 |
Issue number | 5 |
Pages (from-to) | 396-403 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISSN | 0028-3878 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 4 Aug 2015 |
Keywords
- Adult
- Aged
- Dietary Proteins
- Dietary Supplements
- Double-Blind Method
- Exercise
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral
- Physical Fitness
- Young Adult