Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association

Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association	Additional Information
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The Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association would like to thank Dr Stuart Neilson and Dr Frank Clifford Rose for permission to use the following extracts from their book. “Motor Neurone Disease” At Your Fingertips Guide”. Class Publishing (London) Ltd 2003 ISBN: 859590470 How long does diagnosis take? Who is at greatest risk of developing MND? What are the symptoms and how fast does MND progress? Are other members of my family likely to get MND too? Are there any drugs for treating MND? What are Stem Cells? Is it safe for me to continue regular exercise? Is it safe to continue regular exercise? Although you may not be able to exercise at the level you did before, it is important to remain active. Exercise has many benefits such as increasing flexibility, strengthening the cardiovascular system and improving mood and general well being. You must be guided by your own body. It is fine to feel a little tired and stiff after you exercise but if you experience muscle soreness over the following few days, you have probably done too much. Some people experience high levels of fatigue which make exercise inappropriate If someone is experiencing a wasting of muscle it can seem sensible to try to build up muscle by strenuous exercise. Increasing the level of physical activity would normally result in increased muscle bulk. However, when muscles are already under strain from a motor neurone disorder strenuous exercise can result in greatly increased fatigue and muscle strain. Moderate exercise (within normal levels) with a focus on increasing suppleness has maximum benefits, if carried out under advice from your local physiotherapist. Your physiotherapist will be able to advise you on a full programme of stretches if this is appropriate. There are some simple stretches you might find useful, but please take advice before starting any stretching programme.
Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association, 76 Firhill Road,, Glasgow, G20 7BA, Tel: 0141 945 1077, Fax: 0141 945 2578, email: The Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland, number 217735. It is registered as a Scottish Charity with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), SCO 02662.

The Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association would like to thank Dr Stuart Neilson and Dr Frank Clifford Rose for permission to use the following extracts from their book. “Motor Neurone Disease” At Your Fingertips Guide”. Class Publishing (London) Ltd 2003 ISBN: 859590470

Is it safe to continue regular exercise?

Although you may not be able to exercise at the level you did before, it is important to remain active. Exercise has many benefits such as increasing flexibility, strengthening the cardiovascular system and improving mood and general well being. You must be guided by your own body. It is fine to feel a little tired and stiff after you exercise but if you experience muscle soreness over the following few days, you have probably done too much. Some people experience high levels of fatigue which make exercise inappropriate

If someone is experiencing a wasting of muscle it can seem sensible to try to build up muscle by strenuous exercise. Increasing the level of physical activity would normally result in increased muscle bulk. However, when muscles are already under strain from a motor neurone disorder strenuous exercise can result in greatly increased fatigue and muscle strain. Moderate exercise (within normal levels) with a focus on increasing suppleness has maximum benefits, if carried out under advice from your local physiotherapist.

Your physiotherapist will be able to advise you on a full programme of stretches if this is appropriate. There are some simple stretches you might find useful, but please take advice before starting any stretching programme.