What type of exercise should be avoided in SMA/MD/MG patients?

What type of exercise should be avoided in SMA/MD/MG patients?

• A. Heavy resistance exercises at >65% 1RM
• B. Light flexibility
• C. Endurance walking
• D. Gentle swimming

Answer: (A)

High-load resistance puts a lot of mechanical stress on muscles that are already weakened or damaged in SMA, muscular dystrophy, and myasthenia gravis. This overloading can cause micro-tears, trigger inflammation, and worsen muscle damage and fatigue, increasing the risk of injury and overwork weakness. Because of this, lifting weights above about 65% of a person’s one-repetition maximum should be avoided to protect the muscles and neuromuscular system. Safer approaches focus on low-to-moderate resistance with higher repetitions and activities that preserve range of motion with low joint stress, such as gentle swimming or walking as tolerated, ideally under supervision. The other options—light flexibility, endurance walking, and gentle swimming—are generally safer and can be beneficial when appropriately tailored.

High-load resistance puts a lot of mechanical stress on muscles that are already weakened or damaged in SMA, muscular dystrophy, and myasthenia gravis. This overloading can cause micro-tears, trigger inflammation, and worsen muscle damage and fatigue, increasing the risk of injury and overwork weakness. Because of this, lifting weights above about 65% of a person’s one-repetition maximum should be avoided to protect the muscles and neuromuscular system. Safer approaches focus on low-to-moderate resistance with higher repetitions and activities that preserve range of motion with low joint stress, such as gentle swimming or walking as tolerated, ideally under supervision. The other options—light flexibility, endurance walking, and gentle swimming—are generally safer and can be beneficial when appropriately tailored.