Assistant Professor Rob Wüst, who is working on research funded by ME Research UK, spoke at the International ME/CFS Conference 2025 on skeletal muscle alteration in Long COVID and ME/CFS.
In his talk, Wüst discussed mechanisms which may explain post-exertional malaise (PEM) including:
- Changes in energy production and utilisation in the body (metabolism).
- Impaired recovery and signs of damage to muscles after exercise.
- The presence of immune cells in muscle tissue.
Highlighted in the session, was a study by the team which found that the properties of skeletal muscle in people with Long COVID and those with ME/CFS differed significantly from those in healthy individuals on bed rest. While this study provides evidence that PEM is not due to deconditioning, it is worth noting that the paper relating to the work is a ‘preprint’ which means it has not yet been through peer review and is subject to change.
