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Muscular endurance and strength are lower in lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) patients compared to matched healthy controls, coincident with greater self-reported fatigue.

In a cross-sectional study of 15 LAM patients and 15 matched controls, LAM patients exhibited significantly lower muscular force (by 220±89 N), power (by 312±129 W), endurance (by 4674±1974 N*sec), and worse fatigue survey scores (p=0.02 to 0.0004). Poorer muscular endurance in LAM was associated with shorter 6-minute walk distance (r=0.68), lower VO2max (r=0.58), and worse fatigue (r=0.56). No differences in fiber type distribution were found.

Last updated: Aug 21, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Fatigue, Muscular Performance, and Quadriceps Fiber Type Profile in Lymphangioleiomyomatosis and Healthy Matched Controls.

observational

Brown MB, Child CE, Kim P, Kelly ML, Arons S, Cai HD, McQuade KJ, Lynch YT, Ho LA, Gonzalez-Cuyar LF · Lung (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A (cross-sectional)
Intervention: None (observational study comparing LAM patients to matched controls)
Outcome: Muscular force, power, endurance (dynamometry), functional tests (wall squat), fatigue surveys, fiber type distribution, CPET measures (VO2max, fat utilization), 6MWT distance
Effect Size: N/A (differences reported as mean differences with SD, not effect sizes)
Population: 15 patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and 15 matched individuals without LAM

Result:

PubMed: 42604473DOI: 10.1007/s00408-026-00916-9

Mechanism Graph

LAM patients show reduced muscular force, power, and endurance compared to controls
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Reduced muscular endurance correlates with worse fatigue and lower exercise capacity
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No LAM+ cells detected in vastus lateralis samples, and no fiber type shift observed
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Peripheral muscle mechanisms for fatigue and exercise intolerance in LAM remain unclear

Limitations

  • ⚠Small sample size (15 per group) limits generalizability
  • ⚠Cross-sectional design cannot establish causality
  • ⚠No mechanistic explanation for muscle dysfunction was identified (no fiber type shift or LAM+ cells in muscle)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)?▼

LAM is a rare progressive lung disease that predominantly affects women, characterized by cystic lung destruction and often associated with fatigue and reduced physical activity.

Do LAM patients have skeletal muscle dysfunction?▼

Yes, this study found that LAM patients have significantly lower muscular force, power, and endurance compared to matched healthy controls, along with worse self-reported fatigue.

Is there a difference in muscle fiber type distribution in LAM?▼

No, this study found no significant differences in fiber type distribution between LAM patients and controls, unlike some other chronic lung diseases.

What is the relationship between muscle endurance and exercise capacity in LAM?▼

Poorer muscular endurance in LAM was associated with shorter 6-minute walk distance and lower VO2max, indicating that muscle dysfunction may contribute to exercise intolerance.

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References

  1. 1.Brown MB, Child CE, Kim P, Kelly ML, Arons S, Cai HD, McQuade KJ, Lynch YT, Ho LA, Gonzalez-Cuyar LF. "Fatigue, Muscular Performance, and Quadriceps Fiber Type Profile in Lymphangioleiomyomatosis and Healthy Matched Controls.." Lung, 2026. PMID: 42604473 DOI: 10.1007/s00408-026-00916-9
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.