IMPROVEMENT OF PHYSICAL-FITNESS AND MUSCLE STRENGTH IN POLYMYOSITIS DERMATOMYOSITIS PATIENTS BY A TRAINING-PROGRAM/

In the present investigation, the bene fit of physical training in pat ients with inflammatory myopathy was studied, In this prospective, ran domized, controlled study, 14 patients with polymyositis (PM) or derma tomyositis (DM) were investigated, The training, consisting of bicycle exercise and step aerobics, took place over a 6 week period. Baseline and endpoint measurements included an 'activities of daily living' (A DL) score, peak isometric torque (PIT) generated by muscle groups in t he lower extremities, peak oxygen consumption (VO(2)max), and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels. There was no significant rise in disease activity in the training group in comparison to the controls. The ADL score for the treatment group, in comparison to the control group, imp roved (P < 0.02), PIT rose (P < 0.05) and there was a statistically si gnificant increase In oxygen uptake relative to body weight (P < 0.05) . No rise in inflammatory activity, but significant improvement in mus cle strength, oxygen uptake and well-being, were found in patients wit h inflammatory myopathy as a result of physical training. Besides medi cation, a physical training programme consisting mainly of concentric muscle contractions should therefore be an integral part of therapy, p articularly in view of the cardiopulmonary risk of these patients.