Assisted leg cycle exercise for wheelchair users with muscular dystrophy

Background Wheelchair users with muscular dystrophy face health challenges from their condition, sedentary lifestyle, and wheelchair use. While exercise benefits are well-documented in healthy individuals, its effects in wheelchair users with muscular dystrophy are underexplored: low muscle mass might limit exercise benefits. This study investigates benefits and adverse events of assisted leg cycling to improve fatigue, pain, constipation, and quality of life in wheelchair users with muscular dystrophy. Methods Wheelchair users with muscular dystrophy were tested at baseline, after a 10-week control period, and after 10 weeks of assisted leg cycling (20 minutes, 3 times/week). Efficacy outcomes were changes in fatigue, lower back/leg pain, constipation, and quality of life. Secondary outcomes included changes in exercise performance, cardiovascular response, and metabolic health. A 1.5-year follow-up of voluntary training evaluated long-term effects. Results Nineteen participants enrolled; two dropped out. Lower back pain and fatigue decreased and physical quality of life improved. Constipation did not change overall but improved in more than half of participants. HbA1c decreased by 2 mmol/mol, mainly in two participants with diabetes. Blood lipids, leg pain, cycling time, and power output showed no changes. Benefits persisted or improved over 1.5 years in participants with a high adherence. Discussion Assisted cycling may reduce lower back pain, improve quality of life, and possibly decrease fatigue and constipation in wheelchair users with muscular dystrophy. Furthermore, exercise likely lowers HbA1c, particularly in individuals with diabetes. These findings suggest that assisted cycling is a feasible health intervention for wheelchair users with muscular dystrophy.