Why is exercise important?

Exercise is vital for just about everyone, but it’s especially important for people with multiple sclerosis

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Benefits of exercise and regular movement for people with MS

Exercise and physical activity is vital for just about everyone, but it’s especially important for people with MS. Direct evidence shows that exercise:

  • In people with mild MS – improves fitness and function
  • In people experiencing moderate to severe disability – maintains function 
  • In people with significant disability – improves muscle power, exercise tolerance and mobility-related activities (such as walking) 

Studies show that exercise and any form of vigorous movement improves mood and general well-being in people with MS, and that walkable distance increases with regular treadmill training. Interestingly, some benefits of exercise in MS are more pronounced in women. 

Watch this short video about exercise: 

There is also indirect evidence that exercise may be helpful:

  • Two proteins, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF), help repair neurons in MS. Exercise significantly boosts these proteins in people with MS 
  • People with MS who exercise show increased levels of neurotrophic factors 
  • Exercise helps prevent cognitive decline. Those who exercise the most show the least amount of brain shrinkage
  • Regular exercise reduces depression and improves quality of life for both people with MS and without 
  • Exercise may modify the course of MS through a neuroprotective effect 

How exercise can help treat problems caused by MS

Exercise and other forms of physical activity can also correct ongoing physical problems caused by MS:

  • Movement exercise has a better effect on spasms and increased tone than stretching does
  • Core postural strength helps correct balance problems that threaten stability
  • Muscle strength protects from injury
  • Exercise counteracts the effects of deconditioning

References

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  2. White LJ, McCoy SC, Castellano V, et al. Resistance training improves strength and functional capacity in persons with multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2004; 10:668-674
  3. White LJ, Dressendorfer RH. Exercise and multiple sclerosis. Sports Med 2004; 34:1077-1100
  4. Rietberg M, Brooks D, Uitdehaag B, et al. Exercise therapy for multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2005:CD003980
  5. Kileff J, Ashburn A. A pilot study of the effect of aerobic exercise on people with moderate disability multiple sclerosis. Clin Rehabil 2005; 19:165-169
  6. Romberg A, Virtanen A, Ruutiainen J, et al. Effects of a 6-month exercise program on patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomized study. Neurology 2004; 63:2034-2038
  7. Romberg A, Virtanen A, Ruutiainen J. Long-term exercise improves functional impairment but not quality of life in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol 2005; 252:839-845
  8. Gutierrez GM, Chow JW, Tillman MD, et al. Resistance training improves gait kinematics in persons with multiple sclerosis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2005; 86:1824-1829
  9. Sutherland G, Andersen MB. Exercise and multiple sclerosis: physiological, psychological, and quality of life issues. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2001; 41:421-432.
  10. Kerdoncuff V, Durufle A, Le Tallec H, et al. [Multiple sclerosis and physical activities.]. Ann Readapt Med Phys 2005
  11. van den Berg M, Dawes H, Wade DT, et al. Treadmill training for individuals with multiple sclerosis: a pilot randomised trial. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2006; 77:531-533
  12. Surakka J, Romberg A, Ruutiainen J, et al. Effects of aerobic and strength exercise on motor fatigue in men and women with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil 2004; 18:737-746
  13. Gold SM, Schulz KH, Hartmann S, et al. Basal serum levels and reactivity of nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor to standardized acute exercise in multiple sclerosis and controls. J Neuroimmunol 2003; 138:99-105.
  14. Schulz KH, Heesen C. [Effects of exercise in chronically ill patients. Examples from oncology and neurology.]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2005; 48:906-913
  15. Heesen C, Romberg A, Gold S, et al. Physical exercise in multiple sclerosis: supportive care or a putative disease-modifying treatment. Expert Rev Neurother 2006; 6:347-355
  16. Nortvedt MW, Riise T, Maeland JG. Multiple sclerosis and lifestyle factors: the Hordaland Health Study. Neurol Sci 2005; 26:334-339

Further Reading