Energy expenditure analysis in Duchenne muscular dystrophy in land and aquatic environment

Abstract

Introduction. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progres­sive genetic disease, characterized by progressive and irreversible de­generation of muscle fibers, requiring energy demand during func­tional activities. Given this characteristic, energy expenditure becomes a key factor in a rehabilitation program. So, it is essential energy ex­penditure clinical assessment in different environments. Objective. Analyze the energy expenditure of children with DMD during gait in aquatic and land environments. Method. The study included 8 boys with DMD (10.4±0.5 years), ambulating and collaborative for testing. They were not included in rehabilitation programs and had no associated diseases. It was applied 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in land and aquatic environment, and calculate energy expenditure in­dex by the formula: End FC - divided by the initial speed FC (meters/ second) and is expressed in beats/minute in the aquatic and terres­trial. Results. It was observed that DMD patients walked (p=0.012) a shorter distance in water in relation to the ground. DMD patients had (p=0.012) higher average of energy expenditure in aquatic envi­ronment (3.69±0.44) when compared to land (0.43±0.15). Conclu­sion. The patients walked a shorter distance and with higher energy expenditure in aquatic environment.