title: Delayed recovery of leg fatigue symptoms following a maximal exercise session in people with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fatigue is a chronic symptom for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Symptoms of fatigue were investigated during and following a single exercise session.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all, 58 PwMS and 15 healthy, low-active controls performed a cycle ergometer incremental exercise test to voluntary exhaustion. Physiological intensity (expired air and heart rate), perceived breathlessness, and leg fatigue (Rating of Perceived Exertion [RPE] CR-10 Scale) were measured during and for 10 minutes following exercise.
  
  
  METHODS
  of baseline disability (Barthel Index), activity (Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly), vitality (Subjective Vitality Scale), and general fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale [FSS]) were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PwMS had reduced exercise capacity (P = .00 to .01), but sensations of breathlessness and leg fatigue were the same at voluntary exercise termination in both groups (P = .09). PwMS with fatigue (FSS ≥ 4) exhibited reduced exercise capacity (P = .03 to .05) but reached the same physiological intensity, breathlessness, and leg fatigue symptoms at test termination as nonfatigued peers (P = .16 to .59). During recovery, there was no difference in observed means between groups, except for leg RPE, which was higher in the MS group (P = .047) and higher at 3 and 5 minutes after exercise in the fatigued MS group (P = .02). Physiological markers and breathlessness recovered at the same rate in both groups (P = .33 to .67).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Monitoring leg fatigue symptoms during and through recovery from physical activities may help guide participation in physical activities for PwMS, particularly in people managing high levels of fatigue.
authors.affiliation: 1Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dawes
authors.forename: Johnny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Collett
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meaney
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duda
authors.forename: Cath
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sackley
authors.forename: Derick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wade
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: Hooshang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Izadi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: MS; exercise; fatigue; recovery