Improving Strength and Mobility of Adults with Multiple Sclerosis Through a 16-week Exercise Program

Abstract

Canada has the highest prevalence rate of multiple sclerosis (MS) globally (291 per 100,000). People with MS often experience intense fatigue, muscle weakness, decreased aerobic endurance, loss of flexibility, and impaired balance and gait. To mitigate these symptoms, which negatively affect quality of life, physical activity is often recommended. PURPOSE: To examine the effectiveness of a 16-week exercise program on improving common symptoms of MS. METHODS: Nine adults diagnosed with MS (Mage: 51.3 years; range: 42-65 years, 1 male) completed a progressive exercise program including cardiovascular, strength, flexibility, balance, and proprioception exercises (60 minutes, twice a week for 16 weeks). General measurements of health, physical fitness, functional movement, cognitive function, and quality of life were collected pre-, mid-, and post-program. A one-way ANOVA with repeated measures (Session: pre-, mid-, post-program) was performed on all dependent measures (α = 0.05). Effect sizes were calculated using the partial omega-squared (ω2p) test. RESULTS: Collectively, participants showed significant (p < 0.05) improvements from pre- to post-program on the timed up-and-go (TUG) (ω2p = 0.21) and wall push-up tests (ω2p = 0.45). Strong trends (p < 0.1) toward improvement were shown for flexibility (ω2p = 0.19), comfortable walking speed (CWS) (ω2p = 0.28), gait cadence (ω2p = 0.20), vitality (ω2p = 0.26), fatigue (ω2p = 0.17), and mental health (ω2p = 0.18). Individually, five participants showed improvement in mental health, six showed improvement in cadence, and seven showed improvement in one or more of TUG, wall push-ups, flexibility, CWS, vitality, and fatigue (all pre- to post-program). CONCLUSIONS: The progressive exercise program was successful in providing significant improvement in mobility (TUG) and upper body strength (wall push-ups). Although not statistically significant, strong trends were recognized in the areas of gait (CWS and cadence, which support the significant improvement in TUG) and quality of life (vitality, fatigue, and mental health), which may be functionally meaningful. Future research could investigate the possibility of using exercise to slow the progression of the degenerative effects of the disease. Supported by the University of Windsor Strategic Priority Fund.