Regular submaximal strengthening exercises are currently recommended for individuals with DMD to help preserve muscle function and prevent complications associated with inactivity. However, clear evidence on the optimal training intensity remains lacking, which leaves clinicians and families with limited guidance.
To address this gap, the research team will evaluate the effects of a 12-month home-based strength training program in ambulatory boys with DMD. The study plans to enroll 60 boys aged 5 to 10 years and randomly assigned them to one of three groups: non-resistance (body-weight only), low-resistance (30% of 10RM), or moderate-resistance (60% of 10RM) strength training. All participants will perform the same structured exercise routine three times per week at home, with adherence and safety monitored through exercise logs, video submissions, and biweekly telephone calls.
Primary outcomes include muscle strength measured using a handheld dynamometer and the North Star Ambulatory Assessment, a validated scale for motor function in DMD. Secondary outcomes include the Motor Function Measure, timed function tests, range of motion, and the Vignos and Brooke scales. Exploratory outcomes include feasibility, tolerability, and safety, assessed through adverse events, serum creatine kinase levels, and muscle pain.
This study represents the first exploratory randomized controlled trial protocol in China to systematically investigate the effects of different strength training intensities in a home-based setting for children with DMD. The findings aim to contribute to the development of evidence-based, personalized exercise prescriptions for individuals living with DMD. The work titled “Effects of home-based strength training with different intensities on muscle strength and physical functions in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Study protocol for an exploratory pilot randomized controlled trial” was published on Healthcare and Rehabilitation (published on Mar. 18, 2026).

DOI：10.1016/j.hcr.2026.100067