Physical activity is an essential part of DMD management. It plays a crucial role in maintaining strength and supporting functional ability, emotional well-being, and quality of life. It also supports heart health. Nearly all people with DMD will develop heart problems by the time they are adults.
“Maintaining mobility helps with circulation, muscle activity, and overall cardiovascular conditioning,” says Raj Dasgupta, MD, an associate professor of clinical medicine at the UC Riverside School of Medicine in California. “Even light movement supports heart and lung function, which is very important with conditions where respiratory health can decline gradually.”
The use of mobility devices can also support emotional well-being. They allow children and teens to maintain independence, have more energy, and stay safe. Despite muscle weakness, they can keep up with their friends, fully participate in school activities and family life, and even do sports.
“Movement is critical for physical and mental health — releasing endorphins and dopamine, circulating blood, improving cardiac and respiratory strength, maintaining flexibility, and reducing pain,” says Clarissa Aguirre, DPT, a board-certified pediatric physical therapist at Village Pediatric Therapy in Loma Linda, California.
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