The effect of aerobic training on muscle architectural properties and motor functions in children with duchenne muscle dystrophy

The aim of this study was to compare children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and their typically developing peers in terms of muscle architecture properties and motor functions and to investigate the effect of aerobic training on these parameters in DMD. The nineteen children with DMD and 5 typically developing peers were included in this study. Children with DMD were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group (n=10, age=7.93±1.02 years, BMI=16.33±1.92 kg/m2) was performed the 12-week aerobic training in addition to the home exercise program. The control group (n=9, age=9.02±1.45 years, BMI=18.27±1.64 kg/m2) continued only the home exercise program. Muscle architecture properties such as muscle thickness and pennation angle were evaluated with muscle ultrasound. Muscle activations during standing was determined with surface electromyography. Muscle strength was measured by myometric muscle test. Motor function and performances were assessed with motor function measure (MFM), 6 minute walk test (6MWT) and timed performance tests. It was determined that typically developing children had thinner muscle thickness, lower muscle activation and higher motor function by comparison with DMD (p<0.05). There was no difference between the measurement parameters of both groups at baseline (p>0.05). The significant improvements were observed in lower extremity proximal muscle strength, MFM and 6MWT in the treatment group (p<0.05). In the control group, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in other parameters except for the decrease in 6MWT tests (p=0.002). As a result, it was revealed that aerobic training in DMD is effective in increasing motor function and muscle strength, and aerobic training to be applied in addition to the home program is an important element in the treatment protocol.