Özet:

Purpose: Increased fat mass and decreased muscle mass affect patient’s motor performance during slowly progressive neuromuscular diseases (NMDs). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of body composition on motor performance in adult patients with NMDs. Methods: Twenty-six patients and 26 age-matched healthy participants were included in this cross-sectional study. Body composition was assessed using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer, and the motor performance was determined using a manual muscle testing, and timed performance was evaluated using climbing ten stairs, walking 10 m, wearing a t-shirt, supine up tests, and functional level using Motor Function Measurement (MFM) scale. Results: There was no difference between the patients and the controls in terms of age, height, weight, and body composition (p>0.05). There was no correlation between body composition and timed performance tests for controls. In patients, the body mass index (BMI), fat mass (FM), and fat percentage (%FM) were correlated with the time of climbing 10 stairs (r=0.631, r=0.693, r=0.718, respectively) and supine up time (r=0.493, r=0.643, r=0.621, respectively) (p<0.05). Ten meter walking time was correlated with %FM (r=0.496) and fat free mass (r=-0.475, p<0.05). The MFM score was related with BMI (r=-0.425), FM (r=-0.503) and %FM (r=-0.586, p<0.05). Total lower extremity muscle strength was correlated with FM (r=-0.456) and %FM (r=-0.550) in patients (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study showed that body composition might be a factor affecting motor performance in adult patients with NMDs. Preventive strategies should be considered from the early stages of the disease.

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