Recent studies in patients with
muscular dystrophies suggest positive effects of aerobic and
strength training. These studies focused training on using bicycle ergometers and conventional
strength training, which precludes more severely affected patients from participating, because of their weakness. We investigated the functional effects of combined aerobic and
strength training in patients with Becker and
limb-girdle muscular dystrophies with knee muscle strength levels as low as 3% of normal strength. Eight patients performed 10 weeks of aerobic and
strength training on an anti-gravity treadmill, which offered weight support up to 80% of their
body weight. Six minute walking distance, dynamic postural balance, and plasma
creatine kinase were assessed 10 weeks prior to training, immediately before training and after 10 weeks of training. Training elicited an improvement of walking distance by 8±2% and dynamic postural balance by 13±4%, indicating an improved physical function. Plasma
creatine kinase remained unchanged. These results provide evidence that a combination of aerobic and
strength training during anti-gravity has the potential to safely improve functional ability in severely affected patients with Becker and
limb-girdle muscular dystrophies.