Deconditioning

Deconditioning is the decline in physical function of the body as a result of physical inactivity and disuse. The most important feature of deconditioning is a decline in muscle strength and bulk. It is usually reversible. It is often seen in the elderly and the infirm due to bed rest and inactivity. Risk factors include illness, disability, chronic disease, medical and psychosocial circumstances.

It has been hypothesised by proponents of the biopsychosocial model of CFS that the chronic fatigue experienced in ME/CFS is the result of deconditioning. The theory proposes that patient's claims of their inability to exercise or exert themselves is actually due to a "fear of exercise" rather than rooted in reality. It is consequently proposed that psychological interventions such as CBT should be employed to help the patient overcome their "unhelpful beliefs", while physical programmes such as GET or exercise are employed to help the patient recondition their body.

Notable studies

 * Unexplained exertional dyspnea caused by low ventricular filling pressures: results from clinical invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing


 * Cort Johnson breaks down the study in Health Rising. Article Heading: Not Deconditioning "The study also indicated neither deconditioning or a reduced maximal effort, both of which have been suspected in ME/CFS, play a role in the exercise intolerance found. In fact, deconditioned people, ironically, exhibit an opposite finding (increased as opposed to decreased filling pressures) to that found in this study."