Maximal Strength Training as a Therapeutic Approach in Long-Standing Anorexia Nervosa: A Case Study of a Woman With Osteopenia, Menstrual Dysfunction, and Compulsive Exercise

In persons with anorexia nervosa (AN), compulsive exercise and osteopenia are common symptoms. Although treatment of osteopenia besides weight regain is lacking, maximal strength training (MST) has been found to be effective in other populations. Such training has not been prescribed to those with AN due to uncertainty of tolerance. We therefore examined use of MST in a woman with long-standing AN, osteopenia, menstrual dysfunction, and compulsive exercise. The MST intervention consisted of four exercises: three sets of five repetitions maximum (RM), 3 times per week for 16 weeks. We examined muscle strength, bone mineral density (BMD), AN psychopathology, and compulsive exercise at baseli…