Physical Training Effects in Myasthenia Gravis

Eleven patients with mild or moderate myasthenia gravis (MG) were subjected to a strength training program of 27 to 30 sessions during ten weeks. Voluntary maximal muscle force and the degree of fatigue during repetitive maximal isometric muscle contractions were measured in three muscle groups. The subjects did not experience any subjective discomfort or any adverse effect on their MG due to the training. A 23% increase of the maximal voluntary muscle force in knee extension in the trained side was found, compared to 4% in the untrained side (p < 0.05). Only small changes were noted regarding maximal muscle force in elbow flexion and extension or in any of the muscle groups in the fatigue test. Physical training can be carried out safely in mild MG and provides some improvement of muscle force.