Diet and Exercise in Pompe Disease
Diet and Exercise in Pompe Disease
This study examines the effects of individualized diet and exercise plans on muscle strength,
 quality of life and respiratory function in Pompe disease. Subjects will be given a diet and
 exercise plan based on their individual needs, which will be followed for 16 weeks.
 Participants will also be provided with an activity tracker in order to track their exercise
 activities, access to an app that will allow them to input their daily food intake, and they
 will also come to the University of Florida for exercise tests, respiratory tests and
 questionnaires.
Pompe is a rare disease, which occurs in approximately 1 in 40,000 births. It is a
 progressive and often fatal neuromuscular disorder resulting from a mutation in the gene for
 acid alpha- glucosidase (GAA), an enzyme necessary for the degradation of glycogen. Common
 symptoms include skeletal and smooth muscle myopathy, resulting in respiratory insufficiency,
 peripheral muscle weakness and generalized fatigue.

 The progressive myopathy in Pompe disease seems to be influenced by increased muscle protein
 breakdown. The increased muscle protein breakdown leads to muscle wasting, weakness,
 increased resting energy expenditure and, consequently, increased fatigue. Our hypothesis is
 that a high protein, low carbohydrate diet associated with regular physical exercise will
 improve respiratory and peripheral muscle functions in Pompe disease.

 In this study, we will investigate the effects of 16 weeks of planned diet and exercise in
 adolescent and young adult (15-55 years old) individuals with Pompe disease using an activity
 tracker.

 The participant will be asked to come to the University of Florida 4 times throughout the
 study (screening, baseline, +/- 15 days of completing the diet and exercise plan and a follow
 up three months later) for exercise testing, quality of life questionnaires, respiratory
 function testing and blood draws.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Male or female subjects 15-55 years of age;

 -  Have a diagnosis of Pompe disease, as defined by protein assay and/or DNA sequence of
 the acid alpha-glucosidase gene, with present clinical symptoms of the disease;

 -  Be naïve to ERT or receiving ERT for at least eighteen months prior to beginning
 study;

 -  Be able to walk at least 40m in the 6 minute walk test.

 -  Willing to comply with study requirements

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Be pregnant;

 -  Be in the lower limit for pulmonary function; FVC < 30% predicted;

 -  Be dependent on assisted ventilation;

 -  Be dependent on wheelchair;

 -  Have evidence of clinical heart failure;

 -  Have any contraindication to exercise