Tue Kjølhede1, Kristian Vissing1, Line de Place1, Bodil G Pedersen2, Steffen Ringgaard2, Egon Stenager3, Thor Petersen4, Ulrik Dalgas5. 1. Section of Sport Science, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark. 2. The MR Research Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. 3. Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark/MS-Clinic of Southern Jutland (Sønderborg, Esbjerg, Vejle), Department of Neurology, Sønderborg Hospital, Denmark. 4. Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. 5. Section of Sport Science, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark dalgas@sport.au.dk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Progressive resistance training (PRT) is acknowledged to effectively improve muscle strength for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), but diverging results exist regarding whether such improvements translates to improved functional capacity, possibly relating to insufficient duration and/or intensity in some previous studies. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate potential changes in functional capacity and neuromuscular function after 24 weeks of supervised PRT, and whether improvements are maintained after an additional 24 weeks of self-guided exercise. METHODS: This study was a randomised controlled trial, with a training group and a waitlist group undergoing supervised PRT for 24 weeks initially or after 24 weeks of habitual lifestyle, respectively. Functional capacity, isometric muscle strength of knee extensors and flexors, neural drive and thigh muscle cross-sectional area was measured at baseline, after 24 and 48 weeks. RESULTS: The training group significantly improved neuromuscular function of the knee extensors and flexors, which translated to improvements in functional capacity. Furthermore, the improved functional capacity was maintained after 24 weeks of self-guided physical activity. The waitlist group produced similar patterns of changes after PRT. CONCLUSION: Compelling evidence is provided, that PRT performed over sufficiently long periods, improves functional capacity, likely due to neuromuscular adaptations.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Progressive resistance training (PRT) is acknowledged to effectively improve muscle strength for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), but diverging results exist regarding whether such improvements translates to improved functional capacity, possibly relating to insufficient duration and/or intensity in some previous studies. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate potential changes in functional capacity and neuromuscular function after 24 weeks of supervised PRT, and whether improvements are maintained after an additional 24 weeks of self-guided exercise. METHODS: This study was a randomised controlled trial, with a training group and a waitlist group undergoing supervised PRT for 24 weeks initially or after 24 weeks of habitual lifestyle, respectively. Functional capacity, isometric muscle strength of knee extensors and flexors, neural drive and thigh muscle cross-sectional area was measured at baseline, after 24 and 48 weeks. RESULTS: The training group significantly improved neuromuscular function of the knee extensors and flexors, which translated to improvements in functional capacity. Furthermore, the improved functional capacity was maintained after 24 weeks of self-guided physical activity. The waitlist group produced similar patterns of changes after PRT. CONCLUSION: Compelling evidence is provided, that PRT performed over sufficiently long periods, improves functional capacity, likely due to neuromuscular adaptations.
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