Resistance Exercise Training May Improve Muscle Strength in Patients With Barth Syndrome
Resistance exercise training promotes increased muscle strength and appears safe and well-tolerated by patients with Barth syndrome, according to a pilot study. The study assessed the overall skeletal muscle strength/performance of 9 adolescents and young adults with Barth syndrome, which were compared with those of age- and activity-matched controls. Among the Bath syndrome patients, 3 proceeded to a supervised 12-week resistance exercise training program, which involved 3 weekly sessions lasting 60 minutes each.
Compared with controls, patients with Barth syndrome demonstrated the following:
- Lower strength and lean muscle mass (all P<.05)
- Diminished lower extremity, upper extremity, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, and pelvic bone mineral density (all P<.05);
- Reduced exercise capacity (P<.001).
Following the 12-week resistance training program, the patients with Barth syndrome showed significantly increased upper and lower extremity muscle strength compared with baseline (P<.05). No adverse events were identified and the exercise regimen was well-tolerated and attended.
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Reference
Bittel AJ, Bohnert KL, Reeds DN, et al. Reduced muscle strength in Barth syndrome may be improved by resistance exercise training: a pilot study. JIMD Reports. 2018;41:63-72. doi:10.1007/8904_2018_102.
