Effects of a resistance training program and subsequent detraining on muscle strength and muscle power in multiple sclerosis patients.
BACKGROUND
Although resistance training adaptations in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients have been described, the detraining response in this population is largely unknown.


OBJECTIVE
[corrected] This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a 12-week detraining period on muscle strength (isometric and endurance) and muscle power of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients that had previously carried out a 12-week resistance training program (RTP).


METHODS
Forty-two MS patients were randomly assigned into two groups: an exercise group (EG) that performed a 12-week RTP for the knee extensors muscles; and a control group (CG), that did not perform any specific training. Knee extension maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), muscle power and muscle endurance were evaluated before and after the RTP, as well as 12 weeks after training completion. A strain gauge was used to measure the maximal voluntary isometric contraction and muscle power was assessed with a linear encoder. Muscle endurance was interpreted as the number of repetitions that a patient could perform in a single set of knee extension exercise.


RESULTS
The EG increased MVIC and muscle power after the training period, although the training did not affect muscle endurance. After 12 weeks of detraining, MVIC returned to pre-training values but muscle power was still greater than pre-training values in the EG. The CG did not present any change in the variables measured during the intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
A 12-week RTP improved MVIC and muscle power in MS patients. Additionally, 12 weeks of detraining blunted strength training adaptations in MS patients, although muscle power training adaptations were still evident after the detraining period.
Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of Leon, León, Spain.
Carlos
C
Medina-Perez
School of Physical Education, Department of Physical Education and Health, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas/rs, Brazil.
Fernanda
F
de Souza-Teixeira
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Rodrigo
R
Fernandez-Gonzalo
Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of Leon, León, Spain.
Jose Antonio
JA
de Paz-Fernandez
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D007719:Knee Joint; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D009142:Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; D055070:Resistance Training
Multiple sclerosis; detraining; exercise rehabilitation; lower extremity; muscle power; muscle strength; progressive resistance training