Effect of aerobic training in patients with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (Kennedy disease)

N Preisler, G Andersen, F Thøgersen, C Crone, T D Jeppesen, F Wibrand, J Vissing

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We examined the effect of aerobic exercise in patients with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). SBMA is caused by a defect androgen receptor. This defect causes motor neuron death, but considering the important function of androgens in muscle, it is possible that muscle damage in SBMA also occurs independently of motor neuron damage.

METHODS: Eight patients with SBMA engaged in regular cycling exercise for 12 weeks. Maximum oxygen uptake (Vo(2max)), maximal work capacity (W(max)), muscle morphology, citrate synthase (CS) activity, body composition, EMG, static strength measurements, lung function, plasma proteins, and hormones were evaluated before and after training. Evaluation of improvements in activities of daily living (ADL) was conducted after training.

RESULTS: W(max) increased by 18%, and CS activity increased by 35%. There was no significant change in Vo(2max) or any of the other variables examined before and after training, and the patients with SBMA did not feel improvements in ADL.

CONCLUSIONS: Frequent, moderate-intensity aerobic conditioning is of little beneficial effect in patients with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). High levels of plasma creatine kinase and muscle regeneration indicate a primary myopathic affection, which, in parallel with the motor neuron deficiency, may attenuate the response to exercise training in patients with SBMA.

Original languageEnglish
JournalNeurology
Volume72
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)317-23
Number of pages7
ISSN0028-3878
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 Jan 2009

Keywords

  • Activities of Daily Living/psychology
  • Bulbo-Spinal Atrophy, X-Linked/physiopathology
  • Exercise/physiology
  • Exercise Therapy/methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/physiopathology
  • Oxygen Consumption/physiology

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