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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Myopathy Information Page
- Mayo Clinic: Congenital Myopathies
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Myopathy & Exercise
**Myopathy can take on many forms, but no matter how it manifests, myopathy occurs when muscle fibers in the body become permanently damaged.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Depending on how it presents, myopathy can drastically affect some people's lives, while others are not as impaired. Certain exercises may help you, depending on what type of myopathy you have. ** Exercise alone is not a cure for myopathy, but is used as therapy to relieve your symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms
The primary symptom of myopathy is muscle weakness, notes the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Weakness can be accompanied by stiffness, pain and spasms. Chronic muscle cramps are also a sign of some myopathy.
- The primary symptom of myopathy is muscle weakness, notes the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
- Chronic muscle cramps are also a sign of some myopathy.
Types
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Types of myopathies include defects in skin, bone, skeletal muscles and developmental skills 1. Exercise can help those with myopathies that affect the skeletal muscles 1. Mitochondrial myopathy is characterized by defects in the mitochondria of the cell. The mitochondria are responsible for energy production for working muscles. Muscular dystrophy is characterized by uncontrollable spasms and weakness of the muscle. Polymyositis is inflammation of the skeletal muscles.
- Types of myopathies include defects in skin, bone, skeletal muscles and developmental skills 1.
- Mitochondrial myopathy is characterized by defects in the mitochondria of the cell.
Strengthening Exercises
Because most conditions of myopathy are characterized by muscle weakness, strength training is an important part of exercise therapy. Strength training should be done at a tolerable intensity, especially because this type of exercise requires strength and energy.
Try to select exercises that work the major muscle groups of the body and do as many or as little as you feel comfortable doing. Strength training exercises should feel challenging but not painful.
Exercises such as leg flexion, extension, adduction and abduction are helpful for the legs and hips. Abdominal crunches and bridging exercises can be done for the back and abs. You can start with one set of 10 to 15 repetitions and increase up to three sets as you feel stronger. The key to resistance training is to take your time and listen to your body, notes Vancouver Coastal Health.
- Because most conditions of myopathy are characterized by muscle weakness, strength training is an important part of exercise therapy.
- Abdominal crunches and bridging exercises can be done for the back and abs.
Stretching
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Stretching exercises are helpful if your muscles feel stiff or if you are suffering from cramps. Stretching can be done several times a day, but you may find them especially helpful first thing in the morning or after periods of prolonged sitting. Stretch all of the major muscle groups of the body. Stretching should not cause you pain; you should feel tension in the muscle but not to the point of pain.
- Stretching exercises are helpful if your muscles feel stiff or if you are suffering from cramps.
- Stretching can be done several times a day, but you may find them especially helpful first thing in the morning or after periods of prolonged sitting.
Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise is activity that is done for a prolonged period of time to increase your heart and breathing rates. This kind of exercise is useful for people with myopathy because of the incidence of affected breathing and heart muscles. You should choose an exercise that is fun and easy for you to do.
Low-impact exercises such as walking or bicycling are effective at challenging your muscles and raising your heart rate. You can start exercising as little or as much you as you feel comfortable doing. Over time, you should try to increase to 30 minutes of continuous movement a day.
- Aerobic exercise is activity that is done for a prolonged period of time to increase your heart and breathing rates.
Considerations
Before you start any new exercise program, always check with your doctor.
He can tell you, based on your medical history, if there are any activities in which you should not participate. When you have myopathy, you should work only in your comfort zone. Don't push yourself too hard; exercise should take some effort but should not cause you undue pain.
- Before you start any new exercise program, always check with your doctor.
- When you have myopathy, you should work only in your comfort zone.
Related Articles
References
- Mayo Clinic: Congenital Myopathies
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Mitochondrial myopathy fact sheet. Updated August 13, 2019.
- Tarnopolsky MA. Metabolic myopathies. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2016;22(6):1829-1851. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000000403
- Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (NIH). Nemaline myopathy. Updated March 10, 2014.
- Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (NIH). Central core disease. Updated August 16, 2017.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Muscular dystrophy information page. Updated May 7, 2019.
- Lundberg IE, Miller FW, Tjärnlund A, Bottai M. Diagnosis and classification of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Intern Med. 2016;280(1):39-51. doi:10.1111/joim.12524
- Pasnoor M, Barohn RJ, Dimachkie MM. Toxic myopathies. Neurol Clin. 2014;32(3):647-70, viii. doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2014.04.009
- Katzberg HD, Kassardjian CD. Toxic and endocrine myopathies. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2016;22(6):1815-1828. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000000407
- Chawla J. Stepwise approach to myopathy in systemic disease. Front Neurol. 2011;2:49. doi:10.3389/fneur.2011.00049
Writer Bio
Laura Niedziocha began her writing career in 2007. She has contributed material to the Stoneking Physical Therapy and Wellness Center in Lambertville, N.J., and her work has appeared in various online publications. Niedziocha graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Science in exercise science. She also has her Associate of Arts in communications from the Community College of Philadelphia.