Effect of acute leg cycling on the soleus H-reflex and modified Ashworth scale scores in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
This study examined the effect of a single bout of unloaded leg cycling on the soleus H-reflex and modified Ashworth scale (MAS) in 27 individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) who had spasticity of the leg muscles, but were not currently taking anti-spastic medications. The soleus H-reflex and MAS data were collected before and 10, 30, and 60 min after 20 min of unloaded leg cycling and a control condition. The acute bout of unloaded leg cycling resulted in concomitant and prolonged reductions in the soleus H-reflex and MAS scores compared with the control condition. This provides converging evidence for the anti-spastic potential of acute unloaded leg cycling in individuals with MS.
Motl
Robert W
RW
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. robmotl@uiuc.edu
Snook
Erin M
EM
Hinkle
Marcus L
ML
McAuley
Edward
E
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006181:H-Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors