THE CONTRIBUTION OF PHYSICAL THERAPEUTIC EXERCISES TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF MUSCLE IMPAIRMENT CAUSED BY MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

Abstract

Muscular dystrophies (DM) are neurological conditions of great complexity and severity that involve progressive loss of muscle mass and associated reduction in muscle strength. The causes are genetic and involve mutations in the dystrophin gene that lead to the absence or deficiency of functional dystrophin, a cytoskeletal protein that enables general muscle function. In neuromuscular dystrophies there are direct molecular mechanisms responsible for exercise intolerance and inability to contract muscles. The use of therapeutic physical exercises is a way to slow down the preogression of the disease, to combat the loss of functionality of the muscle fibers as well as to delay the appearance of secondary manifestations of the disease, manifestations that occur with the ability to ambulate and with the installation of sedentarism caused by muscle weakness and degeneration. The effects of therapeutic exercise on patients with muscular dystrophy (including the effects of exceptional or maximal exercise) have been analyzed in the literature, and it has been found that aerobic exercise performed under the guidance of a physical therapist can be effective in improving oxidative capacity and progressive muscle function of the patient. The exercises must be adapted to the individual case, depending on the patient's general condition and availability of effort. Careful supervision and monitoring of patients can achieve the objectives obtained in the form of beneficial effects for the affected muscles. The present dissemination proposes a brief presentation of different types of therapeutic exercises (aerobic, endurance, resistance) and their role in the recovery program of patients with progressive muscular dystrophies.