Effects of resistance exercise and creatine supplementation on myasthenia gravis: a case study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this case study was to determine the effects of 15 wk of resistance exercise and creatine (Cr) supplementation on body composition, training volume, peak strength, and complete blood chemistry in a patient with myasthenia gravis (MG).


METHODS
The patient was a 26-yr-old man who was taking prednisone and azathioprine for his condition. The patient self-administered 5 g of Cr per day in addition to resistance exercise 3 times per week. Fasting blood samples were obtained and body weight (BW) and fat free mass (FFM; via hydrostatic weighing) were measured before and after training and Cr supplementation. In addition, isokinetic (Cybex II) peak strength for leg extension (LE), leg flexion (LF), and volume load (repetition x mass lifted) for the first and last resistance training session were determined.


RESULTS
After Cr supplementation and training, the results demonstrated increases in BW (6.8%), FFM (4.3%), upper body volume load (37.0%), lower body volume load (15.0%), and peak strength for LE (37.0%) and LF (12.5%). Moreover, blood chemistry values remained within normal limits for the duration of the 15-wk study.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that resistance exercise plus Cr supplementation may promote gains in strength and FFM in patients with MG.
Stout
J R
JR
Exercise Science Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA. jstout@nutriciausa.com
Eckerson
J M
JM
May
E
E
Coulter
C
C
Bradley-Popovich
G E
GE
D000328:Adult; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001823:Body Composition; D003401:Creatine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014891:Weight Lifting
D003401:Creatine