Exercises for Polymyositis

Polymyositis is also called inflammatory myopathy, a condition where muscles get inflamed and the afflicted individuals experience muscle weakness. It affects the body's skeletal muscles mainly in adults. People with the disorder may experience trouble swallowing, shortness of breath, difficulty speaking, heart arrhythmia or arthritis. Physical therapy and exercise are often recommended to help maintain strength.

Exercise Program Components

• Studies have shown that exercise can help patients with polymyositis maintain their muscle strength. The program should include exercises for strength in the entire body, though you can emphasize areas where you are experiencing weakness. The program should last at least 15 minutes and include a 15-minute walk at the end for cardiovascular health.

Strength Exercises

• Strength exercises are considered the basic exercises because each exercise targets multiple groups. Some ideal exercises for your program could be squats for the thighs, dead lifts for the hamstrings and back, bench press for the chest, shoulders and triceps, pull-downs for the back and biceps and the military press for shoulders. These exercises work muscles groups together and help build strength.

How Much to Do

• In choosing a weight, select a weight that allows you to complete eight to 12 repetitions. Do three sets of each exercise, allowing about a minute rest between each set. Attempt to increase the weight with each set (your repetitions will probably decrease). Since polymyositis causes muscle weakness, you will want to perform each set under the supervision of a spotter or on a machine that will keep you from being hurt should you experience a loss of muscle strength.