Progressive resistance exercise for people with multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to determine if participation in a progressive resistance exercise (PRE) programme can: (1) increase the ability to generate maximal muscle force, (2) increase muscle endurance, (3) increase functional activity, and (4) improve overall psychological function of people with multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
A pre-post single group research design with a 4-week baseline familiarisation phase was used. Nine people (mean age 45.6 years, SD 10.7) with MS attended a gymnasium three times over 4 weeks for familiarization. Participants then completed a twice-weekly 10-week PRE programme, with two sets of 10 - 12 repetitions of each exercise. Outcome measures of muscle strength (1RM for arms and legs), muscle endurance (repetitions at half 1RM), walking speed, the 2-min walk test (2MWT), a timed stairs test, and the impact of MS on physical and psychological function were taken at weeks 2, 4, and 14.


RESULTS
Participants attended 94.3% (SD 8.2%) of the training sessions, with no adverse events. After accounting for baseline stability, significant improvements (P < 0.05) were found in arm strength (14.4%), leg endurance (170.9%), fast walking speed (6.1%), and there was a trend for increased distance in the 2MWT (P = 0.06). The perceived impact of MS on physical function was reduced (P = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Adults with MS benefited from a PRE programme by improving muscle performance and physical activities, without adverse events. These findings suggest that PRE may be a feasible and useful fitness alternative for people with mild to moderate disability due to MS.
Taylor
N F
NF
Musculoskeletal Research Centre, School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Victoria, 3086, Australia. N.Taylor@latrobe.edu.au
Dodd
K J
KJ
Prasad
D
D
Denisenko
S
S
D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome