Progeria, an accelerated-aging disease, can appear in young children as well as in young adults. A well-known but rare form of progeria, Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, appears in early childhood and produces a limited range-of-motion in the joints and tight skin, along with atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. A regular exercise regimen may include range-of-motion strengthening and stretching exercises. Perform exercises only under the guidance of your physical therapist or doctor.
Exercise Recommendations
Progeria can limit the range-of-motion in your joints and produce bone deformities as well as tight muscles and skin. The Progeria Research Foundation recommends direct physical therapy sessions two-to-three times per week to promote optimal daily function and range-of-motion. Physical therapy exercises may be performed at school, in a clinic or at home under the supervision of a doctor or therapist. In addition, a December 2003 report by Seattle's University of Washington recommends that progeria patients perform active stretching and strengthening exercises to help maintain mobility and to reduce risk factors associated with heart attacks and strokes. Recommendations also include performing warm-up stretches before exercising and having oxygen available at all times. Your physical therapist or doctor will design an exercise regimen that specifically meets your physical capabilities and needs.
Stretching Exercises
If you have progeria, stretching exercises may help preserve motion in your joints. Progeria range-of-motion exercises focus on improving or maintaining motion in your hips and shoulders, as well as relieving muscle tightness in your heels, low-back, fingers and upper-arms. The Progeria Research Foundation suggests myofascial release techniques, or extremely specialized stretches of the fascial tissue that surrounds your muscles. Your physical therapist performs myofascial stretches by targeting tight muscle tissue and applying progressively light stretches until the tissue relaxes. Your therapist may recommend completing stretching exercises alone, with some assistance or passively -- without participating at all. In addition, after traditional stretching exercises, such as finger flexor stretches, you may perform exercises that involve catching and throwing a ball. Consistently perform stretching exercises at home under the direction of your physical therapist.
Strengthening Exercises
Exercises that strengthen muscles associated with the joints commonly affected by progeria, such as the gluteus maximus, or buttocks muscle, the quadriceps muscles in your thighs and the gastrocsoleus complex muscle in your lower legs and ankles, may help maintain joint motion. Strengthening exercises include situps, bridges, leg lifts and -- depending on your age and physical ability -- riding a stationary bicycle, scooter or tricycle. Perform a bridge exercise by lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Contract your abdominal muscles and flatten your lower back on the floor. Then, with abdominal muscles contracted, raise your hips upward by contracting your butt muscles. Press your heels into the floor to help support your body. Consult your physical therapist before attempting any exercise to help strengthen your muscles.
Additional Exercises
People who have progeria may also perform exercises to help improve walking, running, jumping, climbing and swimming skills. To help improve your gait, or walking skills, the physical therapist may suggest exercises to improve your heel cord flexibility, including the runner's stretch, stretching off a stair and walking on your heels for a short distance. Hip-rotation exercises on a mat and walking on a line or a balance beam may also enhance your walking skills. Although challenging -- due to a severe lack of body fat -- swimming may provide an effective way for you to promote joint flexibility. You may find that the water temperature feels very cold. Thus, swimming recommendations include swimming in heated pools and wearing a wetsuit. In addition, use a floatation device to help keep you afloat. Your physical therapist will design a specific exercise plan to follow -- whether you are at home or school.
References
- The Progeria Research Foundation; Information for Families and Caretakers from The Progeria Research Foundation; Leslie Gordon, et al.; February 2004
- University of Washington, Seattle; Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome; L. B. Gordon, et al.; December 2003
- The Progeria Research Foundation: Physical Therapy
- Myofascial Release; What is Myofascial Release?; Carol J. Manheim, M.S., M.Ed., PT, LPC
- The American Council on Exercise; Glute Bridge; 2011
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