Basic Leg Gym Routine
Below is my personal experience and should be treated as such. It is not a medical recommendation for any particular exercise and any new...
For people with CMT, lower body strength is vital to maintain, and if possible, increase, due to muscle wasting, also known as muscle atrophy, that can occur. Atrophy can occur when a muscle is not used, and in people with CMT, this may be deliberate, due to regular exercise being challenging, or indirect, due to the mechanisms of the legs working differently and therefore leaving some muscles left unused, or not used enough to combat atrophy.
The human body is a complex machine, with even the smallest part comprising of many different muscles and bones. Below are six of the main muscle groups of the lower body that should be considered by anyone with CMT looking to improve their lower body strength through exercise.
The quads (quadriceps) is the large muscle mass that runs along the upper part of the front section of the leg and extends from the top of the leg down to the sides of the knee. This muscle tends to be tighter in people with CMT.
The hamstring refers to one of three muscles located on the upper back of the leg and runs from the thigh to the knee. As with the quads, the hamstrings tend to be significantly tighter in people with CMT.
The calf muscle covers the lower portion of the back of the lack, comprising of two larger muscles, and attaches to the Achilles tendon.
CMT Impact: Significant muscle weakness
CMT Impact: Muscle weakness, potential strength imbalance in hamstring muscles (medial and lateral hamstrings)
CMT Impact: Severe asymmetric atrophy, can result in knee hyperextension
Glutes refers to the three muscles that form the buttocks; the gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus, and plays an important role in straightening the leg.
In regard to the lower body. the abductors are muscles located on the outside of the upper thigh that pull the legs together when they contract and help to stabilise the hip joint.
The leg adductors group of muscles on the inside of the thighs with their main function to bring the legs together and turning the hips toward the midline of the body.
CMT Impact: Minor atrophy
CMT Impact: Potential atrophy
CMT Impact: Potential atrophy
Below are a few tips for getting started with lower body exercises focusing on CMT
For professional advice from experts in the fitness industry, below is a list of curated workouts from our affiliates.
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