BACKGROUND: We have previously shown that patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) improve muscle strength and aerobic capacity after resistance and aerobic exercise.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine if muscle strength and aerobic capacity are preserved one year after discontinuation of regular exercise.

METHODS: All patients in the previous exercise study were eligible for a one-year follow-up with measurement of combined isokinetic muscle strength (cIKS) by dynamometry and maximal oxygen consumption velocity (VO2-max). Data are presented as median (ranges).

RESULTS: Ten of 17 patients accepted to participate in the follow-up study. Following the exercise study six patients discontinued exercise and at one-year follow-up cIKS had decreased by -13.0 % (-25.8 to -2.9) (p = 0.03) and VO2-max by -16.6 % (-18.8 to -12.6) (p = 0.06). Four patients continued exercise (three with aerobic training and one with resistance training) and at one-year follow-up cIKS and VO2-max were preserved compared to the end of the exercise study (11.6 % (-8.9 to 32.1) (p = 0.88) and -8.4 % (-34.5 to -2.2) (p = 0.13), respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: Continuation of aerobic and resistance exercise may preserve gains in muscle strength and aerobic capacity in patients with CIDP.