title: Physical activity and health-related quality of life over time in adults with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This prospective panel study examined the relationship between changes in physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) across a 6-month period in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults with a definite diagnosis of MS completed a battery of questionnaires that included the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (Godin & Shephard, 1985) and the 36-item Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36; Ware & Sherbourne, 1992) at baseline (n = 292) and 6-month follow-up (n = 276). The data were analyzed using panel analysis in Mplus 6.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The panel model represented an acceptable fit for the data (χ2 = 140.72, df = 56, standardized root mean square residual = 0.06, comparative fit index = 0.98). The standardized path coefficients were statistically significant between follow-up physical activity and follow-up Physical Function (β = .12, p < .005), Role-Emotional (β = .16, p < .01), Vitality (β = .13, p < .001), and Social Function (β = .12, p < .05). Those who reported a change (increase or decrease) in levels of physical activity over 6 months reported a change (improving or worsening, respectively) in HRQOL on 4 of 8 domains on the SF-36, independent of disability status, MS clinical course and duration, age, and sex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The observed pattern of relationships supports the possibility that changing physical activity through an intervention might yield desirable changes in HRQOL, particularly domains representing the mental component.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois.
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Motl
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McAuley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult