Functional Ability and Physical Activity in Hereditary Neuromuscular Diseases

Background: Physical activity may help to promote health in patients with Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). Objective: To investigate associations between functional ability and other variables, with physical activity in people with LGMD and CMT grouped according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). Methods: We did a cross-sectional study, recruiting respondents from the Norwegian registry of inherited neuromuscular disorders. We used the Norwegian version of Barthel index of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) to measure functional ability and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire –short form (IPAQ-sf) to classify physical activity. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to investigate associations between variables. Results: 145 subjects were recruited (79 with CMT and 66 with LGMD). 55.6% of the subjects met a minimum recommendation of physical activity. Participants with moderate to severe functional ability were more likely to be physically inactive compared to those with normal functional ability (OR 19.7; 95% CI 3.1–127.2). Mildly decreased functional ability also showed higher odds of being physically inactive compared to participants with normal functional ability (OR 4.1; 95% CI 1.1–15.6). Higher education was associated with inactivity. Fatigue, participation in physiotherapy, and participation in adapted physical activity programs were not associated with physical activity. Conclusions: Low functional ability was associated with physical inactivity in both LGMD and CMT. Association between higher education and inactivity might indicate the need to provide more understanding about physical activity benefit in this group.