Home-based Training and Supplementation in DM1 Patients

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a rare genetic disease that affects about 1 in 2100 people. Patients diagnosed with DM1 present with many symptoms, however, their muscles are mainly affected. DM1 patients experience a gradual loss of muscle, followed by an increase in body fat percentage, which makes them weaker, resulting in difficulties to perform activities of daily living, such as climbing stairs, and understandably, this affects their quality of life. DM1 currently does not have a cure. Therefore, it is very important to find ways in which we can help DM1 patients to improve their symptoms, and hopefully, improve their quality of life, and possibly improve disease prognosis. Exercise is known to improve muscle quality and function. In addition, we hypothesize that a multi-ingredient supplement (MIS) for muscle health and antioxidants for fat loss, might show improved benefits on top of exercise. Therefore, we will investigate the effects of 16-week home-based concurrent training, with MIS or placebo, on body composition, and functional measures. Lastly, we will investigate muscle adaptations in DM1 and following study intervention