title: Multiple sclerosis affects skeletal muscle characteristics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The impact of multiple sclerosis (MS) on skeletal muscle characteristics, such as muscle fiber cross sectional area (CSA), fiber type proportion, muscle strength and whole muscle mass, remains conflicting.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross sectional study, body composition and muscle strength of the quadriceps were assessed in 34 MS (EDSS: 2.5±0.19) patients and 18 matched healthy controls (HC). Hereafter a muscle biopsy (m.vastus lateralis) was taken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to HC, mean muscle fiber CSA of all fibers, as well as CSA of type I, II and IIa fibers were smaller and muscle strength of the quadriceps was lower in MS patients. Whole body composition was comparable between groups. However, compared to HC, the biopsied leg tended to have a higher fat percentage (p = 0.1) and a lower lean mass (p = 0.06) in MS patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MS seems to negatively influence skeletal muscle fiber CSA, muscle strength and muscle mass of the lower limbs of mildly affected MS patients. This emphasises the need for rehabilitation programs focusing on muscle preservation of the lower limb.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01845896.
authors.affiliation: REVAL - Rehabilitation Research Center, BIOMED - Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.
authors.forename: Inez
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wens
authors.affiliation: Section of Sport Science, Dep. Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Ulrik
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Dalgas
authors.affiliation: REVAL - Rehabilitation Research Center, BIOMED - Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vandenabeele
authors.affiliation: REVAL - Rehabilitation Research Center, BIOMED - Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.
authors.forename: Maartje
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krekels
authors.affiliation: REVAL - Rehabilitation Research Center, BIOMED - Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lotte
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grevendonk
authors.affiliation: REVAL - Rehabilitation Research Center, BIOMED - Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bert O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Eijnde
mesh_terms: D001823:Body Composition; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology