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Managing Myasthenia Gravis: the essential role of exercise
Although MG can lead to muscle weakness, exercise remains an important part of managing the condition. It’s almost a necessity.
Here are some important points to consider:
Muscle retraining
Enjoyable activities
Adjust to your limits
Frequency mattersStrength and endurance training
People with MG can do strength and endurance training with proper planning. Consider these tips:
- Perform exercises that build muscle strength in sets with short rest periods. Longer rest periods between exercises can help prevent fatigue.
- Adapt your routine to avoid overexertion. For example, start with several four-minute sessions with short rest periods in between. Gradually increase the duration as your strength stabilises.
- Strength training is valuable for people with MG, provided it includes the necessary breaks and rest.
MG symptoms can vary from day to day, affecting both strength and endurance. To get the most out of your exercise:
Plan workouts for days when your symptoms are more manageable.
Coordinate exercise with the peak effect of your medication, such as pyridostigmine, to maximise the benefits of your training.
Exercise with Caution 
Some activities can be risky for people with MG, especially if the respiratory muscles are affected.
Avoid activities such as deep-sea diving or high-altitude mountain climbing, which can strain these muscles.
However, most standard sports are possible with adequate rest.
Exercise plays an important role in the management of myasthenia gravis (MG), offering numerous benefits that improve overall health and well-being.
By incorporating a well-balanced exercise programme tailored to individual abilities and needs, people with MG can improve their muscle strength, endurance and quality of life.
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