Physical activity as an exogenous risk factor in motor neuron disease (MND): A review of the evidence
Abstract
Motor neuron disease (MND) is a devastating neurodegenerative condition associated with considerable disability and a poor prognosis. Despite improvements in symptomatic management in recent years, few therapies are available which modify survival. However, the challenge to find successful treatments would be greatly assisted by clearer elucidation of the underlying pathoaetiology. Many potential exogenous risk factors have been proposed as part of a gene-environment interaction in the aetiology of MND. A growing interest in the role of vigorous physical activity in the development of MND has followed reports of a higher than expected incidence of the disease in professional sports people. Such an association is also supported by current hypotheses concerning the cellular and genetic mechanisms of MND. However, evidence from epidemiological research remains conflicting and inconclusive. This article reviews the existing literature regarding physical activity as a risk factor for MND and the potential biological and genetic plausibility for this association.
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Harwood and colleagues proposed that ALS susceptibility could be reflected in a specific physical constitution with a relatively larger fraction of type 1 muscle fibers.
“Harwood and colleagues proposed that such a susceptibility could be reflected in a specific physical constitution with a relatively larger fraction of type 1 muscle fibers (Harwood et al., 2009) and Longstreth and colleagues hypothesized that the effect of toxins on motor neurons could be potentiated by vigorous physical activity (Longstreth, Nelson, Koepsell, & van Belle, 1991).”
From Prevalence of potential sports‐associated risk factors in Swiss amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients (2017) · cites this paper as Harwood et al., 2009
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- Authors
- Harwood, C. A., McDermott, C. J., & Shaw, P. J.
- Affiliations
- University of Sheffield (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Shaw, Pamela J.
- Venue
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2009-01
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 191-204
- ISSN
- 1471-180X (ISSN-L)
- 1748-2968
- OpenAlex
- W2143815441
- Cited by
- 104
- References
- 123
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 5.43
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Genetics › Neurogenetic and Muscular Disorders Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Hereditary Neurological Disorders
- Keywords
- motor neuron disease, physical activity, risk factors, gene-environment interaction, professional athletes, neurodegeneration, pathogenesis
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Humans, Motor Activity, Nerve Growth Factors, Risk Factors, Sports, Reproducibility of Results, Motor Neuron Disease, Age of Onset, Oxidative Stress, Glutamic Acid, Genetic Predisposition to Disease
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