Effects of exercise with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) can result in significant mental and physical symptoms, specially muscle weakness,abnormal walking mechanics, balance problems, spasticity, fatigue, cognitive impairment and depression. Patientswith MS frequently decrease physical activity due to the fear from worsening the symptoms and this can result inreconditioning.Physicians now believe that regular exercise training is a potential solution for limiting the reconditioning processand achieving an optimal level of patient activities, functions and many physical and mental symptoms withoutany concern about triggering the onset or exacerbation of disease symptoms or relapse.Main bodyAppropriate exercise can cause noteworthy and important improvements in different areas of cardio respiratoryfitness (Aerobic fitness), muscle strength, flexibility, balance, fatigue, cognition, quality of life and respiratoryfunction in MS patients.Aerobic exercise training with low to moderate intensity can result in the improvementof aerobic fitness and reduction of fatigue in MS patients affected by mild or moderate disability.MS patients canpositively adapt to resistance training which may result in improved fatigue and ambulation.Flexibility exercisessuch as stretching the muscles may diminish spasticity and prevent future painful contractions. Balance exerciseshave beneficial effects on fall rates and better balance.Some general guidelines exist for exercise recommendationin the MS population.The individualized exercise program should be designed to address a patient’s chiefcomplaint, improve strength, endurance, balance, coordination, fatigue and so on.ConclusionExercise should be considered as a safe and effective means of rehabilitation in MS patients. Existing evidenceshows that a supervised and individualized exercise program may improve fitness, functional capacity and qualityof life as well as modifiable impairments in MS patients.