Weight Training Helps MS Patients
Multiple Sclerosis causes debilitating fatigue and muscle weakness. This weakness often limits physical activity, which in turn results in secondary effects such as obesity and depression.
MS patients also can have painfully heightened sensitivity to environmental heat. Previous studies of the effects of aerobic exercise on MS patients showed promise, but a concurrent increase in body temperature could also exacerbate the pain. Consequently, many doctors have been hesitant to prescribe exercise regimens as treatment, thinking it could do more harm than good.
A recent study conducted by the University of Florida has found that weight training, however, does not increase body temperature like aerobic exercise does, and it focuses on one of the primary targets of MS – muscle mass. The regimen of this study included no more than 30 minutes of supervised weight training twice a week for eight weeks, focusing on the legs, abdomen, and lower back. Each subject’s initial weight load was determined from a pre-study strength test. Once subjects could do 15 repetitions consistently, they progressed to higher weight resistance.
Even though fatigue is a huge factor for people with MS, the results of this preliminary study suggest that MS patients are capable of adapting to resistance training favourably, and may be able to tolerate more intensive training.”
