Isometric Exercise and Polio Survivors

Question: Exercise for polio survivors is always a tricky subject and one that is different for each of us. What is your experience with isometric exercise?

Dr. Bruno’s Response: Isometric exercises cause muscles to contract without changing muscle length or causing movement. But, the muscles still require remaining overworked, poliovirus-damaged motor neurons to contract. Isometric exercises are said to "help maintain strength" in nonpolio survivors. But unfortunately, there are no good studies of isometric exercise in polio survivors.

As Dr. Jim Agre warned about exercise in 1995: "One must protect muscles and joints experiencing the adverse effects of overuse or body areas with very significant chronic weakness. . ."

Study Source: The Role Of Exercise In The Patient With Post-Polio Syndrome

Richard L. Bruno, HD, PhD

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