Physical inactivity, neurological disability, and cardiorespiratory fitness in multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the associations among physical activity, neurological disability, and cardiorespiratory fitness in two studies of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
Study 1 included 25 women with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) who undertook an incremental exercise test for measuring peak oxygen (VO₂(peak) ) consumption, wore an accelerometer during a 7-day period, and completed the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ). Study 2 was a follow-up of Study 1 and included 24 women with RRMS who completed the self-reported Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), undertook an incremental exercise test, wore an accelerometer during a 7-day period, and completed the GLTEQ.


RESULTS
Study 1 indicated that VO₂(peak) was significantly correlated with accelerometer counts (pr = 0.69) and GLTEQ scores (pr = 0.63) even after controlling for age and MS duration. Study 2 indicated that VO₂(peak) was significantly correlated with accelerometer counts (pr = 0.50), GLTEQ scores (pr = 0.59), and EDSS scores (pr = -0.43) even after controlling for age and MS duration; there was a moderate partial correlation between accelerometer counts and EDSS scores (pr = -0.43). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that both accelerometer counts (β = 0.32) and EDSS scores (β = -0.40) had statistically significant associations with VO₂(peak).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate that physical inactivity and neurological disability might represent independent risk factors for reduced levels of cardiorespiratory fitness in this population.
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 61801, USA. robmotl@illinois.edu
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D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D010808:Physical Examination; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012119:Respiration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires