An exploratory study of exercise behaviours and barriers to participation in people with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: a focus on resistance training.

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the exercise behaviours and barriers in people with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), with a particular focus on resistance training (RT). Ninety-four Australian adults with a diagnosis of CMT completed an online survey. Fifty-seven percent of respondents reported performing some form of RT each week. Those performing RT engaged in more aerobic activity ( P ≤0.01) and were involved in longer periods of structured exercise ( P <0.01) compared to those not performing RT. The RT group was more likely to perceive their exercise levels as acceptable ( P <0.01), that following a program was important ( P =0.02), and that exercise is beneficial ( P =0.04). The RT group were more likely to have been advised to exercise ( P =0.02). Common barriers to exercise were fatigue (64.9%), pain (57.4%), motivation (51.1%), and time (46.8%). RT status did not influence the type of barriers experienced. Weekly RT time was positively associated with exercise satisfaction ( r =0.43, P <0.01) and walking distance prior to resting ( r =0.29, P =0.04). The findings suggest that positive exercise experiences, advice, assistance from a trainer, and potentially greater resources may influence participation in RT for people with CMT.