Cintia Ramari1, Andréa G Moraes2, Carlos B Tauil3, Felipe von Glehn4, Robert Motl5, Ana C de David6. 1. Faculty of Physical Education, University of Brasília, DF, Brazil. Electronic address: cintiaramari@yahoo.com.br. 2. Faculty of Physical Education, University of Brasília, DF, Brazil. Electronic address: andreafisiounb@gmail.com. 3. Base Hospital, Department of Neurology, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, DF, Brazil. Electronic address: cbtauil@gmail.com. 4. Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: fvonglehnsilva@bwh.harvard.edu. 5. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, United States. Electronic address: robmotl@uab.edu. 6. Faculty of Physical Education, University of Brasília, DF, Brazil. Electronic address: anacdavid@unb.br.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Physiological factors such as muscle weakness and balance could explain declines in walking distance by multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The purpose of this study was to characterize levels and examine associations among decline in walking distance, balance and muscular strength in women with mild MS. METHODS: Participants included 28 women with mild relapsing-remitting MS and 21 women without MS. We executed the 6-min walk test (6MWT) to verify declines in walking distance. Isokinetic knee flexion (KF) and extension (KE) muscle strength was measured using a dynamometer. Balance was quantified using a force platform, with eyes open and closed, on a rigid and foam surface. RESULTS: The MS patients presented declines in walking, lower KF muscle strength, and worse balance than controls. KF strength and balance correlated with walking in the MS group. The KF strength explained differences between groups in walking. The KF strength and balance presented as predictors of walking slowing down in the 6MWT, in mild MS. CONCLUSION: Women with mild MS have strength impairment of knee flexor muscles and balance control impairment that may explain walking related motor fatigability during prolonged walking.
BACKGROUND: Physiological factors such as muscle weakness and balance could explain declines in walking distance by multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The purpose of this study was to characterize levels and examine associations among decline in walking distance, balance and muscular strength in women with mild MS. METHODS:Participants included 28 women with mild relapsing-remitting MS and 21 women without MS. We executed the 6-min walk test (6MWT) to verify declines in walking distance. Isokinetic knee flexion (KF) and extension (KE) muscle strength was measured using a dynamometer. Balance was quantified using a force platform, with eyes open and closed, on a rigid and foam surface. RESULTS: The MS patients presented declines in walking, lower KF muscle strength, and worse balance than controls. KF strength and balance correlated with walking in the MS group. The KF strength explained differences between groups in walking. The KF strength and balance presented as predictors of walking slowing down in the 6MWT, in mild MS. CONCLUSION:Women with mild MS have strength impairment of knee flexor muscles and balance control impairment that may explain walking related motor fatigability during prolonged walking.
Authors: Pedro Moreno-Navarro; Ramón Gomez-Illán; Carmen Carpena-Juan; Ángel P Sempere; Francisco J Vera-Garcia; David Barbado Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2020-05-08 Impact factor: 4.241