Scientific Research
Effects of Resistance Exercise and
Creatine
Supplementation on Body Composition and
Strength in Myasthenia
Gravis: A Case Study
J. Stout, J.
Eckerson, FACSM, E. May and C. Coulter.
Creighton University, Omaha, NE.
e-mail: jrstout@Creighton.edu
(Sponsor: J.
Eckerson, FACSM).
Patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) commonly exhibit abnormal muscular fatigue, weakness and atrophy. Recently, it has been suggested that creatine (Cr) supplementation may benefit patients with various neuromuscular disease states. Therefore, the purpose of this case study was to determine the effects of 15 weeks of isotonic exercise and Cr supplementation on body composition, training volume, peak strength, and liver enzymes in a patient with MG. The patient was a 26-yr-old male and was taking Prednisone and Azathioprine for his condition. The patient self-administered 5 g of effervescent Cr (FSI Nutrition) per day in addition to resistance exercise 3 times per week. Prior to and following training and Cr supplementation, fasting blood samples were obtained and body weight (BW) and fat free mass (FFM) (via hydrostatic weighing) were measured. In addition, isokinetic (Cybex II) peak strength for leg extension (LE) and flexion (LF) and volume load (repetition x mass lifted) for the first and last isotonic training session were determined. The results demonstrated increases in BW (7.0%), FFM (4.0%), upper body volume load (37.0%), lower body volume load (15.0%), and peak strength for LE (37.0%) and LF (12.5%). Moreover, liver enzyme concentrations remained within normal clinical limits. These data suggest that exercise plus Cr supplementation may promote gains in strength and FFM in patients with MG.
*Supported in part by FSI Nutrition, Inc.
Omaha, NE
