title: Effects of Eight-week Resistance Training Program in Men With Multiple Sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Muscle weakness and fatigue contribute to the reduction of daily activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Therapeutic strategies to promote improvements in muscle strength and endurance are limited in individuals with MS. Some evidence showed that exercise may improve and affect different aspects of the disease including quality of life, fatigue, motor and cognitive functions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the value of resistance training of moderate to high intensity on motor function, muscle strength, balance and perceived disability in male patients with multiple sclerosis compared to a control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  20 male patients with MS (mean ± SD, age: 34.05 ± 7.8 y; Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): 2.94 ± 1.5) were recruited and randomized either to the exercise (E) or control group (C). Group E participated in a three-time weekly individualized progressive resistance-training program (both upper and lower extremities) for eight weeks, while group C was advised not to change their physical activity habits. All initial measures (including EDSS, balance, muscle strength, and functional mobility) were re-evaluated at the end of the program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two patients of group E left the program. The other eight subjects completed the program with no MS-related exacerbations/complications. There was a significant change in 2 of 3 aspects of ambulatory function [Three minutes step test (P = 0.001), Timed Up and Go test (P = 0.009)], muscle strength (P = 0.000), and EDSS (P = 0.014). Comparing the two groups, we did not observe any significant change in "Balance" (P = 0.407).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The resistance training of moderate to high intensity was well-tolerated in MS patients and may be an effective intervention for improving muscle strength, functional ability and EDSS-based disease severity.
authors.affiliation: MS Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran ; Department of Sports Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mahbubeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moradi
authors.affiliation: MS Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran ; Sina MS Research Center, Department of Neurology, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sahraian
authors.affiliation: MS Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran ; Sina MS Research Center, Department of Neurology, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Aida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aghsaie
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kordi
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Alipasha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meysamie
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran ; Department of Sports Medicine, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abolhasani
authors.affiliation: Exercise Physiology Research Center, Baqyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Vahid
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sobhani
keywords: Motor Activity; Multiple Sclerosis; Muscle Strength; Resistance Training