Exercise

You can order a free publication from the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign on Exercise guidelines direct from their site.

Please note that these are not fully comprehensive guidelines for all individuals, and advice should always be sought from a physiotherapist.

“People sometimes think that exercising will harm them or make them worse.Certainly people with MD should not use heavy weights in exercise or work out to the point of pain or exhaustion  but for many people it will do no harm to exercise at a low opr moderate level. Exercise is very important it helps healthy muscle fibres to stay functioning, improves fitness and circulation and can help in controlling weight. “

From “Ask the expert”: Target MD 2003: See the full page –courtesy of Target MD

Steve Cheslett (Former Physiotherapy Manager at the NMC in 2003)

 

Hydrotherapy

NMC Physiotherapy

Hydrotherapy/Aquatic physiotherapy

Too much exercise can cause additional muscle damage but swimming or hydrotherapy is another way to exercise without putting undue stress on muscles. The buoyancy of the water gives a great assist to weak muscles and breath holding underwater allows exercising of the respiratory muscles.

The Neuromuscular Centre has access to a hydrotherapy pool 4 days a week, which means that we can run sessions of one hour at lunchtimes, and also a late afternoon two hour session on 1 day a week. The Hydrotherapy changing rooms have ceiling track hoists and hydraulic plinths, as well as walk-in showers.
People with muscular dystrophy discover a sense of freedom in the water as they are able to move, walk and exercise supported by buoyancy and use of floats.
Patients are given specific exercises to do in the water to target their problem areas, as well as being encouraged to swim.

Click her to go to the NMC’S Website

Hydrotherapy is available in numerous locations around the UK and can be available on the NHS See: Hydrotherapy - TheSite.org for more details

Exercise training beneficial for Becker muscular dystrophy

Part of the article from the Muscular dystrophy campaigns web page

See the full article on the Muscular Dystrophy Campaigns site –Click here

Stevelambert Exercise Bike Man Clipart

Researchers in Denmark have reported that exercise training improves the fitness and strength of people with Becker muscular dystrophy.

In the past people with Becker Muscular dystrophy have often been advised to avoid excess physical exertion to reduce the risk of damaging their already weakened muscles. However, research showed that moderate intensity cycling sessions for 30 minutes, up to five times a week, were beneficial. After 12 weeks, the participants in the study were approximately 50% fitter and their muscles significantly stronger.

Most importantly, laboratory tests showed no signs of increased muscle damage, even when the exercise programme was continued for a year.

The findings support an active approach to rehabilitation of patients with BMD.

 

Or read a harder to understand abstract  on CAT.INIST SITE Click here

 

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