Comparing endurance- and resistance-exercise training in people with multiple sclerosis: a randomized pilot study

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare adaptations in functional and quality of life measures following endurance- and resistance-exercise training in people with multiple sclerosis.

Design: Cross-over design with an eight-week washout period.

Setting: Community health centre.

Subjects: Sixteen individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Intervention: Subjects completed both an eight-week endurance- and an eight-week resistance-exercise training programme in a randomized order. The exercise training comprised individualized progressive programmes that were completed twice weekly in a supervised group setting.

Main measures: Grip strength, functional reach, four step square, timed up and go and six-minute walk tests, Multiple Sclerosis Impact and Modified Fatigue Impact Scales, Becks Depression Inventory and the Health Status Questionnaire Short Form-36.

Results: Sixteen of 21 (76%) subjects completed the study. Subjects attended 13.2 ± 1.6 endurance- and 15.8 ± 1.9 resistance-exercise training sessions. No adverse events were reported. No significant differences (P < 0.05) in any outcome measures were observed between the two exercise training programmes either at baseline or following the completion of both training programmes.

Conclusion: Both endurance- and resistance-exercise training were well tolerated and appear to provide similar effects for people with multiple sclerosis, but larger studies are required to confirm these findings.