Repeated Bout Effect i Neuromuscular Diseases

The repeated bout effect (RBE) refers to the adaptation whereby a single bout of eccentric exercise protects against muscle damage from subsequent eccentric bouts. This effect has been shown in many muscle groups using both serum biomarkers, muscle soreness and imaging techniques. Though the effect is well described in healthy, it has never been studied in patients with neuromuscular diseases (NMDs).In healthy, the RBE is only described using eccentric exercise, but unlike healthy persons, patients with NMDs can experience significant muscle damage with concentric exercise. This raises the question, if patients with NMDs could also show RBE when performing concentric exercise.

Inclusion Criteria:Age > 18 yearsThe ability to complete the exercise challengeNo concurrent medical condition that could interfere with interpretation of the resultsMolecular diagnosis of the specific condition in specified patient groups or healthy controlNo active muscle injury on the test day (caused by recent exercise, seizures, trauma, etc.)Exclusion Criteria:Cardiac or pulmonary disease contraindicating peak exercise testing or strenuous exercise defined as NYHA-class III-IVVeins that are too difficult to puncture for blood sampling, evaluated by the investigatorSevere muscle weakness, that prevents the subject completing the exercise test, evaluated by the investigator