ISOMETRIC-EXERCISE INCREASES STRENGTH AND DOES NOT PRODUCE SUSTAINED CREATININE PHOSPHOKINASE INCREASES IN A PATIENT WITH POLYMYOSITIS

A patient with active stable idiopathic polymyositis received a 4-week supervised right quadriceps and biceps isometric strengthening progra m. He demonstrated a significant increase in isometric peak torque wit hout a sustained rise in creatinine phosphokinase (CPK). A significant decrease in postexercise CPK occurred at the end of the exercise prog ram. We conclude a randomized clinical trial using a nonexercised pati ent group vs an exercised patient group may be useful.