Multiple Sclerosis: Effects of Exercise on Mobility

Emilie Noble
University of Victoria, School of Exercise Science Physical Health Education

Nerve Repair:
Endurance versus resistance training on nerve regeneration and motor
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
function in rats with sciatic nerve lesion 3
After training Endurance rats had the highest degree of myelinated
Degenerative nerve disease of the central nervous system
fiber maturation
Neurological disability, reduced mobility, impaired cognition, limb
Exercise may increase expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor
weakness, bladder dysfunction 4

Figure 2. MRI images showing neural lesions of an MS patient in (A) axial view, which promotes nerve fiber growth, regeneration, and myelination 3
As a result: inactive lifestyle, reduced exercise tolerance, fatigue,
(B) sagittal view of corpus callosum, and (C) sagittal view of thoracic spinal cord. 2
depressive symptoms8

Turning point of the disease ensues when patients lose the ability to Maintaining Functional Ability
walk.
Balance & Walking:
Study had participants engage in flexibility, range of motion, lower limb
strengthening, core stabilization, balance & stair climbing activities 7
Significant improvement in balance, walking, & quality of life 7
(A)
Reduction in muscle spasticity

(B)

Muscle Wasting & Weakness:

(C)
To combat muscle atrophy study looked at progressive resistance training
and effects on strength and function of lower extremity 1
Knee extensor, knee flexor, and leg press maximal contractions increased
Figure 4. cross sections of sciatic nerve lesion after 5 weeks
significantly rehabilitation: (B) control group no lesion, (D) sedentary group, (F)
Functional capacity improved 21.5% while control did not 1 endurance trained group, (H) resistance trained group. 3

Figure 1. Proposed mechanisms of neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis: (A)

demyelination, (B) axonal transection, (C) neuronal death. 9
Neuroanatomy and Pathophysiology:
MS begins due to attack on CNS by inflammatory cells
Conclusions
Exercise has positive effects on walking ability & quality of life
Possible that endurance training helps nerve repair and myelination, and
resistance training combats muscle atrophy
Studies recommend an exercise program containing both endurance and
2

resistance training5,6
axon transected lesions and reduced firing in the descending
tracts2
References

If demyelination begins before neuronal death occurs, immediate

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Figure 3. Improvements in knee extensor maximal voluntary contraction (KE MVC) and
functional capacity (FC) after training sessions and after the 12 week follow up trial. 1
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