Sports and Physical Exercise in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system. It is characterized by inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes that result in progressive neurological disability. In the past two decades, there have been major therapeutic advances in the treatment of MS, and a substantial number of disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) have been used in clinical practice. The currently available DMDs are effective in controlling inflammatory activity, but not neurodegenerative processes. In such cases, non-pharmacological approaches such as exercise therapy may play an important role. Although patients with MS were traditionally advised not to participate in physical activity, there is growing evidence that exercise therapy has potential disease-modifying anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in patients with MS. This article reviews previous studies on the general benefits of exercise therapy and provides an overview of the current knowledge regarding the theoretical background of exercise therapy in patients with MS.