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. 2011 Dec 7;2011(12):CD007931.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007931.pub2.

Physical training for McArdle disease

Rosaline Quinlivan  1 , John Vissing, David Hilton-Jones, John Buckley
Affiliations

Physical training for McArdle disease

Rosaline Quinlivan et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: McArdle disease is a rare metabolic myopathy caused by a complete absence of the enzyme muscle glycogen phosphorylase. Affected people experience symptoms of fatigue and cramping within minutes of exercise and are at risk for acute muscle injury (rhabdomyolysis) and acute renal failure. If the first few minutes of exercise are paced, a 'second wind' will occur enabling exercise to continue. This is due to mobilisation and utilisation of alternative fuel substrates. Aerobic training appears to improve work capacity by increasing cardiovascular fitness.

Objectives: To assess the effects of aerobic training in people with McArdle disease.

Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group Specialized Register (11 January 2011), CENTRAL (2010, Issue 4), MEDLINE (January 1966 to January 2011) and EMBASE (January 1980 to January 2011).

Selection criteria: All randomised and quasi-randomised controlled studies of aerobic exercise training in people of all ages with McArdle disease.

Data collection and analysis: Two authors identified possible studies for inclusion and assessed their methodological quality. Had more than one study of sufficient methodological quality been identified we would have undertaken a meta-analysis.

Main results: There were no randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials of aerobic training in people with McArdle disease. However, three open studies using small numbers of participants provided some evidence that aerobic training improves fitness without adverse events in people with McArdle disease.

Authors' conclusions: Evidence from non-randomised studies using small numbers of patients suggest that it would be safe and worthwhile for larger controlled trials of aerobic training to be undertaken in people with McArdle disease.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr Buckley's salary has in part been funded by the Association for Glycogen Storage Diseases. He has no known conflicts of interest.

Dr Hilton‐Jones received a fee for taking part in a debate on neonatal screening for Pompe's disease at the 2010 International Pompe's Conference, supported by Genzyme.

Dr Quinlivan has received an honorarium from Genzyme for lecturing on McArdle disease.

Dr Vissing is member of the Global Advisory Board for Pompe's disease for Genzyme. He has received consultancy fees from Lundbeck concerning drugs for Duchenne Muscular dystrophy. He is in receipt of many research grants, none of which have any relation to this published work.

Update of

  • doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007931

References

References to studies excluded from this review

Haller 2006 {published data only}
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Ollivier 2005b {published data only}
    1. Ollivier K, Hogrel JY, Gomez‐Merino D, et al. Effects of an endurance training on patients with McArdle disease. Science and Sports 2005;29:21‐6.

Additional references

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References to other published versions of this review

Vissing 2003b
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