Hypotonia (Weak muscles) - Any tips?

[DystantMind]

Don't know if a thread has already been started, but here I go anyway.

I've always been pretty weak. People smaller than me could always somehow beat me in arm wrestles. I was even scared of facing girls.

Hypotonia is common in Dyspraxia. It is poor muscle tone, in a nutshell.

I was wondering if there was anything I could do to actually tackle this, such as doing weight lifting or other types of exercise, or if it is a permanent problem beyond my control. Anyone found anything helped particularly or have expert knowledge?

Thanks. From somehow who hates being pushed around

[Remus]

I don't have any tips but I can totally relate. I have the strength of a kitten, I really struggle when it comes to carrying things heavy.

[safcjcp]

Me to

[Steph]

I don't have any tips either but I can also relate like Remus. I have ridiculously poor upper arm strength-I struggle to carry a bag of shopping without my muscles seizing up and going into spasm.

[DystantMind]

Aha!

Well, I decided I would take up some weightlifting, just to see if I could change anything. I decided to start with very very light weights and do a lot of them to try and build them up slowly. I could do some lifts with them without a problem, but not for very long. It seems endurance is also a big problem.

Now for the past two days my biceps have been absolutely killing. This is from about five minutes (accumulated) with very very light weights. Its made me realise just how weak I am

[ohpandahat]

You should find out if you have a gym near you that has a room with special equipment in designed for people who have disabilities or are recovering from injuries.

The equipment basically does the work for you, and you can put as much or little effort in as you like, plus control the speed of the equipment etc. For example, if you think of an exercise bike that pedals itself, but you can press as hard on the pedals as you like, or just go with it!

I'm recovering from a back operation and I have chronic fatigue, so my muscles have weakened alot recently - I go to a gym with with this special equipment and it's really good for building up your muscles without over doing it!

Hope this helps!

[k9ruby]

I had this quite severely when I was younger and got very fatigued by it, but it has improved massively. I am hyper-mobile though and have tight hamstrings.

[Creative]

I also have tight hamstrings. Is this a dyspraxic thing? I go to the gym and a keep fit class and this has realy helped with the pain I get in my leg if I have to stand without moving.

[Alice]

I have very little strenth in my muscles, which can be embarassing when warming up for sport (like, push ups and stuff). This is obvious just by looking at most of my body (I manage to be squidgy and doughy at normal weight), but I'm even weak in my legs which have huge muscles.

When I was getting my twitch investigated, the guy that examined me mentioned that I really should have a lot more power in my muscles. Other than that, it's never really been mentioned other than as not trying.