title: Neuromuscular adaptations to long-term progressive resistance training translates to improved functional capacity for people with multiple sclerosis and is maintained at follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Progressive resistance training (PRT) is acknowledged to effectively improve muscle strength for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), but diverging results exist regarding whether such improvements translates to improved functional capacity, possibly relating to insufficient duration and/or intensity in some previous studies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate potential changes in functional capacity and neuromuscular function after 24 weeks of supervised PRT, and whether improvements are maintained after an additional 24 weeks of self-guided exercise.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a randomised controlled trial, with a training group and a waitlist group undergoing supervised PRT for 24 weeks initially or after 24 weeks of habitual lifestyle, respectively. Functional capacity, isometric muscle strength of knee extensors and flexors, neural drive and thigh muscle cross-sectional area was measured at baseline, after 24 and 48 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The training group significantly improved neuromuscular function of the knee extensors and flexors, which translated to improvements in functional capacity. Furthermore, the improved functional capacity was maintained after 24 weeks of self-guided physical activity. The waitlist group produced similar patterns of changes after PRT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compelling evidence is provided, that PRT performed over sufficiently long periods, improves functional capacity, likely due to neuromuscular adaptations.
authors.affiliation: Section of Sport Science, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark.
authors.forename: Tue
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kjølhede
authors.affiliation: Section of Sport Science, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kristian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vissing
authors.affiliation: Section of Sport Science, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark.
authors.forename: Line
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Place
authors.affiliation: The MR Research Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: Bodil G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.affiliation: The MR Research Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ringgaard
authors.affiliation: Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark/MS-Clinic of Southern Jutland (Sønderborg, Esbjerg, Vejle), Department of Neurology, Sønderborg Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: Egon
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stenager
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: Thor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.affiliation: Section of Sport Science, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark dalgas@sport.au.dk.
authors.forename: Ulrik
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Dalgas
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D007717:Knee / Q000473:pathology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D053580:Muscle Strength; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D013848:Thigh / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Multiple sclerosis; muscle strength; rehabilitation; resistance training; walking