Page 14 - A Guide to Physical and Occupational Therapy for CMT

Exercise and CMT
Everyone can benefit from regularly participating in activities that get the
heart pumping and lungs working. This type of general exercise (cardiovascular
training, also known as cardio) has been shown to have enormous benefits to
our health, well-being, mood and ability to do what we want to do. It also can
keep other illnesses at bay, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood
pressure and obesity. Studies of cardiovascular exercise in people with CMT
have shown that fitness levels can be safely improved through regular exercise
such as bike training. The same result may also be achieved with walking,
swimming, rowing and other exercises, as long as the heart and lungs are
working a little harder than normal. Be sure to check with your doctor before
beginning any exercise plan and choose exercises that are safe in relation to
your CMT expression.

Exercises to strengthen the muscles help to improve movement, balance and
endurance. There is some indication that muscle-strengthening exercises
can also help with the maintenance of blood sugar and bone density as we
age. There have been a number of studies where weights have been used to
strengthen the muscles at the tops of the legs and arms – the less affected
muscles – in people with CMT. These studies showed that this type of exercise
is safe and strengthens the muscles. The smaller muscles in the hands and the
feet are more affected in patients with CMT. In children, a study in
Australia found that foot and ankle muscles could be strengthened with
weights. In adults, these muscles tend to be weaker and may not be able to