Exercise and McArdle disease

Exercise is vitally important to people with McArdle disease.

It is essential to avoid anaerobic activity such as lifting heavy weights, sprinting or just opening a new jam jar! This is because anaerobic activity beyond about 6 to 10 seconds needs a supply of energy from glycogen, which is not available in McArdle's. Without that supply the muscle is damaged and a cramp develops.

However, aerobic exercise such as walking is highly beneficial. It helps to improve aerobic capacity and it helps keep your weight under control. People with McArdle's need to learn how to get into 'second wind' and when they start serious walking they need to adopt some techniques to help them.

Follow these links to read some more about exercise for people with McArdle's.

• No pain, no gain - wrong!
• Adjusting activity - understanding how to protect ourselves
• Second wind - help with beneficial exercise
• The Six Second Rule - help to avoid contractures
• Starting an exercise programme advice for those who are very de-conditioned
• Walking with McArdle's more advanced hints and tips

• Walk with others with McArdle's a week's holiday course, learn how to best cope, summer 2012
• Walking the London Marathon with McArdle's April 2011
• Walk over Wales for McArdle disease 2010 - info, blog and photos