Affiliations: [a] Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| [b] Department of Neurology, Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| [c] Department of Public Health, Section for Sport Science, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
Correspondence:
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Correspondence to: Lars Kjøbsted Markvardsen, MD, PhD, Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 44, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. Tel.: +0045 7846 3337; Fax: 0045 7846 3300; E-mail: larsmark@rm.dk.
Note: [1] Authors contributed equally to the study.
Abstract: Background:We have previously shown that patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) improve muscle strength and aerobic capacity after resistance and aerobic exercise. Objective:The purpose of this study was to determine if muscle strength and aerobic capacity are preserved one year after discontinuation of regular exercise. Methods:All patients in the previous exercise study were eligible for a one-year follow-up with measurement of combined isokinetic muscle strength (cIKS) by dynamometry and maximal oxygen consumption velocity (VO2-max). Data are presented as median (ranges). Results:Ten of 17 patients accepted to participate in the follow-up study. Following the exercise study six patients discontinued exercise and at one-year follow-up cIKS had decreased by –13.0 % (–25.8 to –2.9) (p = 0.03) and VO2-max by –16.6 % (–18.8 to –12.6) (p = 0.06). Four patients continued exercise (three with aerobic training and one with resistance training) and at one-year follow-up cIKS and VO2-max were preserved compared to the end of the exercise study (11.6 % (–8.9 to 32.1) (p = 0.88) and –8.4 % (–34.5 to –2.2) (p = 0.13), respectively). Conclusions:Continuation of aerobic and resistance exercise may preserve gains in muscle strength and aerobic capacity in patients with CIDP.
