THE EFFECT OF BODY COOLING ON AEROBIC ENDURANCE OF PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS FOLLOWING A 3-MONTH AEROBIC TRAINING PROGRAM 475

Abstract

Increased sensitivity to thermal load has been thought to be problematic for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Surface cooling has been suggested for preventing or attenuating MS symptoms associated with increases in thermal load. Eleven subjects with MS (EDSS 1.0 - 6.5), participated in a 12-wk program of aerobic cycling. Prior to training all subjects were evaluated for maximal aerobic endurance at 50%. of VO2max. Training occurred 2 d/wk using interval cycling at 65-75% VO2max consisting of 6, 5-min stages interspersed with 3-min rest periods and 1 day of continuous cycling at 55-65% VO2max for 40 min. Four subjects wore a full body cooling garment (C) during training and seven trained without surface cooling (NC). Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion and perceived thermal stress level was monitored. There was no significant difference between group means in pre-training endurance time (C - 30 v. NC - 32 min). Following training the C group had a 12.5% (range 0% - +23%) improvement in endurance time and the NC group had a 6.7% improvement (range -3% - +21%) (p >.05). The small sample size and wide variability in group data may have obscured any true beneficial effect of full body surface cooling on aerobic endurance. However, these preliminary data appear to indicate that for some individuals with MS, surface body cooling may enhance improvement following aerobic training.