ALTERATIONS OF MUSCLE FATIGABILITY AND EXERCISE CAPACITY AFTER MAXIMAL EXERCISE IN YOUNG ADULTS WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Walid Kamal Abdelbasset*

ABSTRACT

Background: Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder affecting many physiological systems that may cause alterations of skeletal muscle strength, such as lowering of exercise capacity and impairment of physical activity. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of maximal exercise training on exercise capacity and muscle fatigability in cystic fibrosis young adults with moderate respiratory disease. Methods: Twenty eight young adults (18 ♂ and 10 ♀) were enrolled in the study. The study included two groups of young adults; the group of CF comprised of fourteen young adults with cystic fibrosis (9 ♂ and 5 ♀) and the group of healthy subjects comprised of fourteen age-matched healthy subjects (9 ♂ and 5 ♀). All participants have performed a maximal exercise test, muscle fatigue assessment, and cross-section area imaging. All measures were recorded and analyzed. Results: This study outcome demonstrated that there were lower FEV1, FVC, exercise capacity and had more oxygen desaturation with more breathing reserve index in young adults with CF than healthy subjects with p0.05. Conclusions: This study suggests that young adults with cystic fibrosis who had moderate pulmonary disorder and healthy subjects have similar effects in cross section area, muscle fatigability, and maximal contraction of the quadriceps muscle. Whereas maximal exercise has negative effects on exercise capacity in young adults with CF.

Keywords: Cystic fibrosis; Young adults; Maximal exercise; Exercise capacity; Fatigability.